Table Tennis is a sport that has been around for more than 100 years and originated in England. It was originally called whiff-whaff which was an onomatopoeic word used to imitate the sound of the ball striking the table. The term “Table Tennis” is derived from English words, “Tables” and “tennis” which were combined when people started to play with tables instead of just balls ̶ pitting their skills against each other rather than just themselves.
Today Table Tennis is played by millions of people around the world and continues to grow in popularity because it can be played almost anywhere, requires no equipment or facilities, takes little space, and only minimal rules need to be followed. The nearest ancestor to the game we know today was originally known as “whiff-whaff”. Some early examples of this name date back to 1860 and 1870. At some point, by the 1920s and 30s, it had been shortened to just “ping-pong,” which is mostly how we know it today.
How did table tennis get its name?
Table tennis is an adaptation of a game called “ping-pong,” which was invented in England by British Army officer Lieutenant looking for a novel entertainment for his guests in 1891. “Ping-pong” being difficult to say and spell, the name was abbreviated to “table tennis.” Ping-pong’s origins come from China in the form of an outdoor activity that was typically played on a large table outdoors using a ball created out of jute such as those used for trampoline jumping (fuqa qiu).
The modern rules were standardized internationally in 1926. Ping pong can be learned quickly and accurately by most people with relative ease at any age. It was originally called by the British as “Ping Pong.” After observing two Asian women playing, an Englishman commented that they were “pinging pong’s”. This would be how it got its name.
Why is it called wiff waff?
It’s called ping pong, but originally it was called tennis. It’s a derivation of the mock-Chinese phrase of “peng class,” meaning to hit or push. This name translated into Ping-Pong in English and after some time became a sport all its own with a set of international rules for competition. Its Olympic debut was held in 1964 Games in Tokyo though.
Who created the term Whiff Waff?
Ping pong is a popular sport that has been around for centuries. But who created the term whiff waff? The answer to that question is still a mystery. Some people believe that it was first mentioned in the late 1800s by British author Jerome K. Jerome. In his book, Three Men in a Boat, he referred to the game as whiff waff. However, there is no concrete evidence to support this claim.
Others believe that the term whiff waff was first used in Scotland in the early 1900s. A Scottish newspaper called The Aberdeen Press and Journal published an article about a ping pong tournament that was held at the Aberdeen Yacht Club. The article mentioned the game as whiff waff.
When was Wiff Waff invented?
Wiff Waff is a sport that involves hitting a ball back and forth with rackets. The earliest written documentation of the game in the United Kingdom was in 1887 when it was played at fairgrounds in Vienna. The modern rules for Wiff Waff were set out by the All England Croquet Association and the English Table Tennis Association on March 11, 1909.
One story claims that the name “Wiff-Waff” came from an exclamation made by spectators during early matches. Dating all the way back to the late 19th century when it was played as a garden/fairground game, whiff waff has been known throughout many generations and enjoyed by many people throughout history.
whiff-whaff history
The history of table tennis is quite interesting. It is believed to have originated in the early 1800s, in England. At that time, it was known as whiff waff. Apparently, people played it in their gardens and homes.
The game slowly gained in popularity and was eventually introduced in France. It was renamed ping pong there, and the French version became very popular. In fact, it even became an Olympic sport!
Eventually, the game made its way back to England and was renamed whiff whaff again. It continued to be popular among the English people and even spread to other parts of the world.
Conclusion
Table tennis is an incredibly popular sport that can be traced back to two different games: whiff whaff and ping pong. While both games have their own unique histories, they share many commonalities. Both whiff whaff and ping pong are enjoyed by people of all ages and offer a fun, competitive way to spend some time. Whether you’re playing for bragging rights or trying to improve your skills, these games are sure to please.
If you enjoy playing table tennis and want to improve your game, we recommend checking out our other blog.
Thanks for reading.