Sweden's quest to achieve a gender neutral society

[Eddie Teach]

Not a whole lot of hair to work with. 

[Sheilbh]

The word does seem to come from hair.

The first examples of curl as a verb for twisting ringlets into hair come from the 14th and 15th century.  In the early 17th century to curl starts to mean to cause a curl or twist or undulation.  It's that verb that's then used in curling.  Interestingly - separately - it seems the Flems developed a similar-ish game and used the same sort of words 'krullebol' (curl-bowl) to describe their stone and sport based on its movement on the ice.

That in no way demeans what is a magnificent sport.

[derspiess]

It doesn't even matter to me which came first.  In modern usage, curling is much more associated with hair than with some ice sport.

[katmai]

I thought the Brain was clear example of Swedish gender neutrality.

[crazy canuck]

I thought the Brain was clear example of Swedish gender neutrality.

Yep, as long as it has four legs he is happy.

[Barrister]

It doesn't even matter to me which came first.  In modern usage, curling is much more associated with hair than with some ice sport.

Not in Canada. 

[Crazy_Ivan80]

Interestingly - separately - it seems the Flems developed a similar-ish game and used the same sort of words 'krullebol' (curl-bowl) to describe their stone and sport based on its movement on the ice.

weird. Searched for it and the closest I got was pétanque, which seems to have been just one of the games that falls under the term "krullebollen". Funky, I've only heard the word being used in relation to hair, and I'm guessing that'll go for must of the dutchspeakers.

[Valmy]

I love how a short statement about combining men and women's pool leagues led to an indept sports discussion.

[Sheilbh]

weird. Searched for it and the closest I got was pétanque, which seems to have been just one of the games that falls under the term "krullebollen". Funky, I've only heard the word being used in relation to hair, and I'm guessing that'll go for must of the dutchspeakers.

From the OED:

It appears in its earlier form to have been akin to Quoits, but has now more analogy with Bowls, with modifications consequent upon the situation. A game similar to it in its early form appears in Flanders a1600; Kilian has kluyten kalluyten, 'ludere massis siue globis glaciatis; certare discis in æquore glaciato', to play a match with quoits on a smooth surface of ice. The name appears to describe the motion given to the stone. In Flemish the name krullebol (curl-bowl) is given, apparently from its motion, to the wooden bowl with which a somewhat similar game bolspel is played in an alley.

[Darth Wagtaros]

Like calling curling a sport.

You try dragging a 40lb hunk of granite down a sheet of ice using nothing but a broom for two hours before telling me curling isn't a sport.

I bet hauling boulders up hills with nothing but a broom is pretty difficult as well but that isn't a sport either.

You're right, it isn't.  Nobody in the world plays a sport involving hauling bolders up hills.

But quite a few people do play the silly ass game of curling.

Yeah, yeah.  Olympic level skill is required I'm sure.

[Barrister]

Like calling curling a sport.

You try dragging a 40lb hunk of granite down a sheet of ice using nothing but a broom for two hours before telling me curling isn't a sport.

I bet hauling boulders up hills with nothing but a broom is pretty difficult as well but that isn't a sport either.

You're right, it isn't.  Nobody in the world plays a sport involving hauling bolders up hills.

But quite a few people do play the silly ass game of curling.

Yeah, yeah.  Olympic level skill is required I'm sure.

You have no idea.

I consider myself a decent curler, play once or twice a week, do some practicing.

Our team played the Yukon/NWT championship team a few times.  They would blow us out of the water.

Then of course I've watched them play in the Canadian men's championship.  The really good teams would blow them out of the water.  It's scary how good a team like Kevin Martin's is, and requires a huge amount of practice - and definitely on par with any other winter olympian.

[Sheilbh]

As long as shooting's an Olympic sport I think all others are free from criticism.

[Eddie Teach]

As long as shooting's an Olympic sport I think all others are free from criticism.

You assume people are willing to grant the IOC the power to determine what is and isn't a sport. We don't. Shooting's not a sport, neither is bowling. Jury's out on curling.

[Admiral Yi]

You assume people are willing to grant the IOC the power to determine what is and isn't a sport. We don't. Shooting's not a sport, neither is bowling. Jury's out on curling.

How about that carriage driving business?  That's some gripping shit.

[Sheilbh]

You assume people are willing to grant the IOC the power to determine what is and isn't a sport. We don't. Shooting's not a sport, neither is bowling. Jury's out on curling.

A friend of mine refuses to accept that basketball or tennis are sports so I know what you mean

I was just picking up on Wag's slight of the 'Olympic' skill required for curling.  I'm sure everyone agrees that the IOC do define what is an Olympic sport.