Why Do We Call Them SHUTTLECOCKS?

I saw them shuttlecocks sitting on top of an office-mate’s monitor. Then looking at them, I thought, why the heck were they named after something funny like a COCK? Oh come on… you know what I am thinking. Every time the word is mentioned, we simply can not help but associate it with the thing. Of course there is the animal (male chicken). But surely, this is one topic that is the source of laughter among boys (even girls) – green jokes that is.

But kidding aside. They say it was named so because of the way it moves. Back and forth on the ends of the court like a SHUTTLE. Now the COCK part was simply because of the feathers. Yeah… that is all into it. A compound word derived from literal meanings.

Anyway, I have here a “wikied” definition. Kindly check it for yourself.

Just a thought to ponder for me I guess. Sharing it with you guys.

Enjoy!

SIMPLY…
A shuttlecock is used in the sport badminton. The shuttlecock center is hit with a badminton racquet over the net, in this fast sport. A shuttlecock is also called a shuttle. Other names for shuttlecock are bird, or birdie, because it can be made with feathers.

THE COMPLICATED DEFINITION
A shuttlecock a high-drag projectile used in the sport of badminton. It has an open conical shape: the cone is formed from sixteen overlapping goose feathers embedded into a rounded cork base. The cork is covered with thin leather.

The shuttlecock’s shape makes it extremely aerodynamically stable. Regardless of initial orientation, it will turn to fly cork first, and remain in the cork-first orientation.

The name shuttlecock is frequently shortened to shuttle; it may also be known as a bird or birdie. The “shuttle” part of the name was probably derived from its back-and-forth motion during the game, resembling the shuttle of a loom; the “cock” part of the name was probably derived from the resemblance of the feathers to those on a cockerel.

MATERIALS
Shuttlecocks can be made of many types of materials, including plastic and feathers. It creates a cone shape, and is held together by a round center, usually made of cork or rubber. The cone shape the feathers, or other materials create is called a shuttlecock skirt.

In North America and Europe, feather shuttlecocks cost more. In Asia, where the prices of feathers are lower, shuttles made of plastic are rarely used; feather shuttles are used.

It is harder to hit a feather shuttlecock fast, because there is more drag. They are also less durable than plastic shuttles. Experienced badminton players usually play with feather shuttlecocks, and in competition, badminton is almost always played with feather shuttles. They feel that feather shuttles give them more control, and more better play is needed to hit feather shuttles.

In school gyms and amateur/beginner clubs in Europe and North America, plastic shuttlecocks are more often used than feather ones. This is to save feathers, since plastic shuttlecocks do not break easily. Feathers on the feather shuttles bend or break if the player does not hit the cork or rubber center.