Hello, you have come here looking for the meaning of the word ping pong. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word ping pong, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say ping pong in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word ping pong you have here. The definition of the word ping pong will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition ofping pong, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
Onomatopoeic. The name “ping-pong” was in wide use before British manufacturer J. Jaques & Son Ltd trademarked it in 1901. Jaques sold the rights to the “ping-pong” name in the United States to Parker Brothers. Registered in the United States in 1930, Ping-Pong (with dash) is still a registered wordmark of Parker Brothers, Inc.[1] Contrary to a common misconception, the word does not originate from Chinese 乒乓 (pīngpāng), though there are possibilities that the coiners encountered Chinese themselves.
1900, Daily Chronicle, published 1905, May 8, page 6/6:
Our correspondent seems to hope that the unclean, playing Ping-Pong with the clean, will become unpleasantly conscious of his uncleanness and reform.
(figuratively) An instance of figuratively bouncing something or someone back and forth.
1909, Thaddeus L. Bolton, “On the Efficacy of Consciousness”, in Frederick James Eugene Woodbridge, Wendell T. Bush, editors, The Journal of Philosophy, Psychology and Scientific Methods, volume 6, New York: The Science Press, page 424:
To be conscious is to be subject to just such a ping-pong of recurring nervous activities that effect muscle tone on one side and brain discharge on the other.
(UK politics) The exchange of proposed amendments between the two Houses of Parliament, particularly at the end of a session when compromises have to be made to complete the legislative process within the limited time available.
1909, James Boniface Schriever, Commercial, press, scientific photography, page 401:
As only bust or half-length figures are all the ping pong photographer attempts, only one or two small plain backgrounds is all that is necessary. Generally two are used, a light one and a dark one.
2012, Angela Smith, Steel Drums and Steelbands: A History, page 158:
Most ping pongs were 35- to 45-gallon drums. The larger drum had room for more notes; the tones were also louder and clearer and could be sustained longer.