The spelling of the popular lawn game "crown bowls" is fairly straightforward when using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA). The first word, "crown," is spelled /kraʊn/, with the "ow" sound pronounced like "ou" in "out". The second word, "bowls," is spelled /bəʊlz/. The "ow" sound in "bowls" is pronounced like "oh" in "no". In this game, players roll balls (or "bowls") towards a target, aiming to get their ball closer to the center of the target than their opponents'.
Crown bowls is a traditional lawn bowling game widely played in the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth countries. It is a variation of lawn bowls that is typically played outdoors on a rectangular grass surface known as a crown green.
The objective of crown bowls is to deliver biased bowls closer to a smaller object ball, often called a jack, than one’s opponents. This is achieved by taking turns to roll or throw the bowls towards the jack, using a deliberate curved trajectory known as a bias. The bias allows the bowls to follow a curved path rather than moving in a straight line, adding an additional layer of complexity and strategy to the game.
Crown bowls typically involves two opposing players or teams, each having a set number of bowls to use. The game is played over a predetermined number of ends or rounds, with players’ efforts being tallied up at the end of each round. The player or team that accumulates the highest score by having more bowls closer to the jack than their opponents wins.
Crown bowls requires great skill, accuracy, and tactical thinking, as players must adjust their shots to navigate the irregularities of the crown green. It is a game that offers both recreational enjoyment and competitive challenge, often attracting participants of all ages and skill levels.
The word "crown bowls" does not have a distinct etymology as it is not a commonly known phrase or term. However, we can break down the etymology of the individual words within the phrase.
- Crown: The word "crown" originates from the Old French word "corone", which came from the Latin word "corona", meaning a wreath or garland. Over time, it came to refer specifically to the ornamental headpiece worn by monarchs as a symbol of authority and sovereignty.
- Bowls: The word "bowls" comes from the Old English word "bolla", meaning a rounded container or vessel. It is related to the Old Norse word "bolli" and the Old High German word "bolla".