Sports Trivia: Why is a football called a ‘pigskin’? Answer: Cliffnotes version: In medieval football (and soccer), there essentially were no rules, no limits on the player head count, and you could whack your opponent pretty good without a penalty. Villages and towns played against each other, and the goal of the game was... Read More
Sports Trivia: Why is a football called a ‘pigskin’?
Answer:
Cliffnotes version: In medieval football (and soccer), there essentially were no rules, no limits on the player head count, and you could whack your opponent pretty good without a penalty. Villages and towns played against each other, and the goal of the game was for one team or the other to get an inflated pig’s bladder past a goal line set up at each end of the town. How you got it there was up to you.
At some point, they decided to make the pig’s bladder into a ball, someone (probably in marketing) didn’t like the word ‘bladder’, and switched the word to ‘pigskin’. Sports gear designers got smart, put the ‘bladder’ on the inside (the way it is today), the ball got pointy on each end, thanks to Wilson®, and there you have it – the almighty ‘pigskin’ was born.
According to Wikipedia, the oldest football still in existence, potentially circa 1540, was discovered in the roof of Stirling Castle, Scotland, in 1981. The ball is made of leather (possibly from a deer) and a pig’s bladder.
About this cocktail:
‘Pamplemousse’ means grapefruit in French. In France, football is what we Americans call soccer. What does this have to do with the Big Game? Absolutely nothing. This drink still tastes delicious. Please be advised, grapefruits do not function well as a backup football.
The Pamplemousse Punt
By Brooke Arthur
Serves 1
Glass type recommended: Double rocks glass
Ingredient list
1 1/2 oz Volstead Vodka
1/4 oz Sauvignon Blanc
3/4 oz Grapefruit juice
1/2 oz Lemon juice
1/2 oz Vanilla syrup
Directions
In a pint glass, add spirits and mixers. Add ice and shake vigorously. Fine strain into a double rocks glass over fresh ice. Garnish with a grapefruit half moon.
As always, please drink responsibly. Spirits available at BevMo! retailers, or on Bevmo.com.