Does anyone know where the expression, " behind the 8 Ball originate"? I think it probably has something to do

Behind the eight ball

Meaning

A difficult position from which it is unlikely one can escape.

Origin

From the Eight Ball version of the game of billiards, which is played on a pool table. The balls are numbered and must be potted in order. The game is forfeited if a player's cue ball hits the (black) eight ball first. A 'behind the eight ball' position leaves a player in imminent danger of losing.

Relating to pool as it does, it is no surprise that the expression is American. It dates from the early 20th century - the earliest citation I can find is from the Ohio newspaper The Marion Star, May 1916:

"When John Lewis came out and put America behind the eight ball I went around grabbing 'Kindly Step To The Back of the Car' signs from elevators on account of they kind of expressed the message of Lewis to the American people."

The term was used in the title of a biography of 'Minnesota Fats' - the stage name of the pool player Rudolph Wanderone. That was rather an optimistic title, as Wanderone was by all accounts a much better self-publicist than ever he was a pool player. He played some televised demonstration matches against Willie Mosconi, who beat him easily.

In the Billiards game "8-Ball" the balls are divided between the two players, one set having stripes, the other set solid. Each player must sink their set first before sinking the 8-ball.

The person that sinks their set and finally the 8-ball first, wins. You cannot hit the 8- ball until you sink your set first. If one of your set is in a corner "behind the 8-ball", you will have a hard time getting to play it.

"Behind the 8-ball" usually refers to something that is out of play, or hard to obtain.

dont know, did you try to look it up online? I'm sure its on there somewhere

I looked on wikepedia but could not find one source that refers to that phrase alone and its origin and meaning, good luck, might be a fun hunt on that one!!

You may find your answer in this website, along with other phrases and expressions...

http://www.phrases.org.uk/bulletin_board/29/messag...