Why Do We Say ‘Love’ In Tennis? The Answer’s More Complicated Than You Think

Did you know that David Attenborough is the reason tennis balls are bright yellow? Yup – the hue used to be decided by the court (dark for a light court, and vice versa, for visibility). But when the then-controller of BBC 2 noticed these didn’t stand out on-screen, he asked them to change the spheres to a brighter colour, officially known as optic yellow. To me, though, that only answers one of tennis’ many mysteries. For instance, up until recently, I still had no idea why “love” was used to mean a score of zero.Why do we call a score of zero “love” in tennis?There are plenty of theories, but one seems more likely than the others. The BBC suggested the term came from the French word for “egg” (l’oeuf, which is pronounced almost like “love” to English speakers), as the food item looks like the number zero. But the dictionary Merriam-Webster points out that there’s no record of French people using l’oeuf to mean nought.The egg theory has been largely written off as “folk etymology”.The BBC also said that the term might come from the Dutch and Flemish “lof”, meaning “honour” – as in, a player with no points could be playing for honour.This is closer, but not identical, to Merriam-Webster and Oxford Reference’s preferred theory: that “love” comes from, well, love. Both think the term comes from “love” as in “love of the game”. Why would “love” stand for “love of the game” in tennis? It sounds a bit like an insult – as if people are saying someone’s doing badly, so must not be in it to win.But Oxford Reference stated it’s probably linked to money, or the lack thereof. “This usage apparently comes from the phrase play for love (i.e. the love of the game, not for money,” they said. Merriam-Webster is aligned with the publication, adding: “A similar idea is found in the origin of the word amateur, which can refer to a person who does something strictly for love.” Related...Sorry, What ― David Attenborough Is The Reason Tennis Balls Are YellowHere's How Much Sports Commentators Get Paid If The Match Goes To Extra Time, And It's Not What I ThoughtThis Exercise Is Linked To 9.7 Extra Years Of Life – And You Can Do It In Your Back Yard

Comments

Breaking news

Harvey Willgoose’s mum says her son’s murderer needs to be ‘made an example of’

Metro

Comments

Breaking news

Harvey Willgoose’s mum says her son’s murderer needs to be ‘made an example of’

Alton Towers toilet fire sparks evacuation chaos at popular theme park

All the UK hosepipe bans currently being enforced as heatwave looms

How to spot if an image or video is AI after experts warn you ‘can’t trust your eyes’

Donald Trump sends in the military to evict ‘bloodthirsty criminals’ from Washington DC

So THAT's Why Restaurant Pasta Is So Much Better

Starmer Issues Not-So-Subtle Warning To Donald Trump About Putin Ahead Of Peace Talks

Jennifer Aniston Makes Emotional Admission About Grieving Matthew Perry

Trump Makes The Kind Of Embarrassing Gaffe Which Would Have Haunted Biden

Convicted Felon Trump Lies About Crime Rate In DC And Deploys Troops

JD Vance Sends A Clear Message To Elon Musk Following His Public Feud With Trump

'Not Welcome': Protesters To Stage Anti-Vance Demo As US Vice-President Visits Cotswolds

Co-op urgently recalls pork pies over fears they could cause allergic reactions

Labour councillor called for far-right protesters ‘throats to be slit’

Drone ‘narco subs’ laden with drugs ‘could be operating in the UK’

Founder of one of UK’s biggest toy chains hands all 160 shops to his workers

Downing Street Warns Trump Not To Force Ukraine To Give Up Land To End Its War With Russia

Reform Tells Men To Use Female Toilets Despite Advocating For Single-Sex Spaces

Why Do We Say ‘Love’ In Tennis? The Answer’s More Complicated Than You Think

Stephen Bacon: ‘Hugely gifted and much liked’ longtime Express and Star media lawyer

‘Draconian and foolish’: Starmer faces backlash as hundreds arrested during Palestine Action protest

Why more women are switching to reusable menstrual products

Israeli strikes kill journalists and aid-seekers as Australia backs Palestinian statehood

Europe must show Putin it’s serious about peace in Ukraine – and prepare for war

Video appears to show the moment a Palestinian activist is killed as an Israeli settler opens fire

Colombian presidential hopeful Miguel Uribe Turbay dies two months after being shot at campaign event

Nvidia, AMD to pay 15% of China chip sale revenue to U.S. government

Squid and chips? How UK’s warming waters could change which fish we eat

Fans celebrate the 80th birthday of the Moomins, Finland's most lovable literary cartoon family

JD Vance’s holiday brings ‘circus’ of road closures and police patrols to sleepy Cotswolds village

Hospitals are buying up doctor’s offices - and it could have a big impact on your bill

New York judge refuses to unseal Ghislaine Maxwell’s grand jury transcripts despite Trump’s request

How a shrunken piece of bread explains Bolivia's economic catastrophe ahead of elections

Finland charges Russian vessel officers with damaging undersea cables connecting Estonia

Glasgow woman who vanished from sun lounger in Greece - Everything we know as search hits 10 days

Back to school wear and birthday gifts as Style Squad peer inside Pandora's box at The Centre, Livingston

Pregnant donkey abandoned by owner gives birth to baby foal at rescue centre

Hamilton bus passengers benefit from extended service

Apple fans race to buy £430 iPhone 12 for £165 in 'fast selling' deal

Four people rushed to hospital after ambulance crashes into car on A98

Exact dates two Scottish Poundland stores will close down for good

Weapons Director Weighs In On The Meaning Behind That Floating Gun Scene

This Lifestyle Change May Delay Dementia And Heart Disease As You Age

No.10 Condemns Israel Over Latest Killing Of Journalists In Gaza

Sophie Turner Hits Back After Being Accused Of 'Forgetting' Her Kids To Attend Oasis Gig

Vance Claims Trump Broke A Major 'Logjam.' It's Unclear If Putin Will Play Along.

Prison officer admits having an ‘inappropriate relationship’ with inmate

Aunt of child who starved to death after parents put him on vegan diet speaks out

Fox gets trapped inside London charity shop ‘for days’ and causes complete chaos

Prince Charles Cinema could be opening a new venue in east London

Ukrainian drone strike kills 1 in as fighting rages ahead of a planned Trump-Putin summit

Blowing through conch shell could help treat dangerous sleep condition

Three teenagers arrested on suspicion of murder after man dies in Kent

Colombian Sen. Miguel Uribe Turbay has died, weeks after campaign rally shooting in Bogota

Three Ukraine beachgoers killed by sea mines in Black Sea after ignoring swimming warnings

British woman pleads guilty to killing man in Australia e-scooter crash

‘A desperate attempt to silence voices’: Israel accused over the ever-growing death toll of journalists in Gaza

Wikipedia loses court challenge against Online Safety Act rules

Luxury jewellery brand Faberge sold to tech investor for £37m

Voices: Poll of the day: Should drivers over 70 have compulsory eyesight tests every three years?