Foosballs

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. Miniature figures mounted on rods that players spin and slide to kick a small ball across a tabletop game board
2. Tabletop games played by turning rows of small plastic players on rods to strike a ball into the opposing goal
3. Table soccer games in which rod-mounted figurines are maneuvered to propel a ball toward a goal at either end

Etymology: "Foosballs" is the plural of "foosball," the table game in which rows of miniature players on rods are spun to kick a ball. The plural form simply reflects the many small balls or the game's pieces, and it follows the regular English pattern of adding "-s" to a noun, so the word is best understood through its base. "Foosball" is a compound of "foos," a shortened form of "Foosball" as a trademark-driven name, and "ball." The game itself was developed in Germany and was known there as "Tischfußball," literally "table football," which is the more transparent source of the English name.

Synonyms: table football