释义 |
Wiffle U.S.|ˈwɪf(ə)l| Also wiffle. [f. whiff n.1 1 d + -le.] A proprietary term used attrib. to designate a hollow perforated ball used for playing a variety of baseball, esp. as Wiffle ball (also a game played with such a ball); Wiffle bat, a bat designed for use with a Wiffle ball. Cf. whiffle-ball s.v. whiffle n. 4.
1957Official Gaz. (U.S. Patent Office) 22 Jan. tm138/1 Wiffle. For simulated or auxiliary pliable plastic baseball and a game played therewith. First use Feb. 5, 1954. 1965Ibid. 16 Nov. tm123/1 Wiffle... For bats and a device for tossing a ball. First use 1959. 1970Time 25 May 43 [David Eisenhower] passing the afternoon playing wiffle ball on the south lawn of his father-in-law's White House. 1985Yankee Oct. 172/2 The first Wiffle bats were broomstick handles taped at one end—the plastic Wiffle Bat didn't come along until later. Ibid., Some people use the term Wiffleball for any plastic ball. 1987N.Y. Times 1 July b–1/1 Five Sports Mobiles, equipped with Ping-Pong tables, wiffle balls and bats, a pool table [etc.]. |