Why are table tennis players called paddlers?

[Tan Elaine]

Where I live, table tennis players are called paddlers in our local newspapers. I wonder why this word is used because I have checked the meaning of the word in my dictionaries, and none of them associates it with table tennis players.

Could somebody please let me know if the journalists have made a mistake?

Thanks.

 

[charliedeut]

Hi,

See paddle - definition of paddle by Macmillan Dictionary, #3.

charliedeut

 

[BobK]

:up: (Note that that definition is marked as American. The only time I've heard that use of 'paddle' in the UK was at a language school where the students expected me to speak Am. Eng.! For us, it's table-tennis or ping-pong (or, for followers of Boris Johnson, 'wiff-waff'.))

b

 

[5jj]

:up: (Note that that definition is marked as American. The only time I've heard that use of 'paddle' in the UK was at a language school where the students expected me to speak Am. Eng.! For us, it's table-tennis or ping-pong

The definition given is for the 'bat', not the game.

 

[Tdol]

As another BrE speaker, I haven't heard paddlers used with this meaning.

 

[charliedeut]

Where I live, table tennis players are called paddlers in our local newspapers.QUOTE]

The definition given is for the 'bat', not the game.

Hence, it should follow that 'paddlers' applies to the players, just as 'golfer' applies to 'someone who plays golf, especially as their job', IMO.

charliedeut

 

[BobK]

In fairness, I don't think the 'golfer' analogy is entirely fair; a golfer, on the 'paddler' logic, should be an 'ironer' or a 'clubber' - as the thing they hold is an iron or a club. But I think your idea of the word's formation is right.

Coincidentally [as further support for the 'thing-held + "-er"' hypothesis] the word 'paddler' is, I believe, sometimes used in Br. Eng. (perhaps chiefly among fellow practioners) to mean 'one who propels a canoe [wielding a paddle]. ;-)

b

 

[charliedeut]

I hope no teacher here will show me the paddle (#4) for that ;-)

 

[SoothingDave]

While the table tennis athletes certainly use "paddles" in their game, I think calling them "paddlers" is just a bit too much. It seems kind of cutesy and condescending.

 

[Barb_D]

I agree. It would never have occurred to me to call them anything other than "table tennis players."

 

[Chicken Sandwich]

NOT A TEACHER

While the table tennis athletes certainly use "paddles" in their game, I think calling them "paddlers" is just a bit too much. It seems kind of cutesy and condescending.

I agree. In a similar vein, even though one could call a "table tennis player" a "ping-pong player", table tennis players do not like it when other people call their sport "ping-pong".