Bowling used to be banned in England, except on Christmas.

In late medieval and Tudor England, rulers believed that lower-class men had two main responsibilities: working and preparing for possible combat. Thus sports and games — a distraction from said duties — were often subject to legislation, especially if people bet on their outcomes. King Edward III banned bowling in 1361, although Henry VI allowed it again 94 years later. During Henry VIII’s 16th-century reign, he banned bowling anew, as well as tennis, bocce ball, cards, and dice. However, those with more resources could apply for special bowling licenses to play on their own greens, and although the laws prohibited bowling alleys, Henry VIII had lanes installed at Whitehall Palace for himself. There was just one time of year when common people were allowed to enjoy bowling: the 12 days of Christmas. Although citizens were rarely cited for challenging this bowling ban, the law endured for more than three centuries.  

Four consecutive bowling strikes are known as a “turkey.”

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The nickname for four strikes in a row is a “hambone.” Meanwhile, bowling three straight strikes is a “turkey,” six straight strikes is a “wild turkey,” and nine straight strikes is a “golden turkey.”

British, German, and Dutch settlers brought the pastime to America, where lawmakers launched their own strikes against bowling. Stateside bowling alleys in the 1800s were mostly owned by bars, so elected officials linked the activity to gambling and crime. In 1841, Connecticut banned nine-pin bowling lanes, and other areas of the country followed suit. To bypass the statutes, bowlers added a 10th pin, creating today’s game. As of 2018, the U.S. had just 19 nine-pin bowling alleys, all in Texas, a state that began taxing operators prior to Connecticut’s ban. 

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