Table tennis, also known as ping pong, is a popular sport that is played between two or four players. It is a fast-paced game that is played on a table with a small net in the middle. The game is played using a paddle and a small plastic ball that is hit back and forth over the net. Table tennis is a sport that is enjoyed by people of all ages and is played in many countries around the world. While it is known by many names, the official name of the sport is table tennis. But why is it called table tennis and not ping pong?
History of Table Tennis
Table tennis has its origins in the Victorian era. A game called “Gossima” was developed in England in the 1880s. It was a game that was played with paddles and a net. It was similar to the modern game of table tennis, but the paddles were made of wood and covered with parchment. The ball used in the game was cork and was covered in a layer of white felt.
The game quickly spread throughout Europe and was known by different names in different countries. In England, it was called “Whiff-Whaff” while in Germany it was called “Tischtennis” which translates to table tennis. In 1901, the name “ping pong” was trademarked by John Jaques & Son, a manufacturer of table tennis equipment. The name was derived from the sound made when the ball was hit with the paddles.
Ping Pong vs Table Tennis
While the terms table tennis and ping pong are often used interchangeably, they are actually two different sports. Table tennis is the official name of the sport and is regulated by the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF). The rules and regulations of the sport are established by the ITTF.
Ping pong is a more informal version of the sport. It is not regulated by any governing body and does not follow the same rules and regulations as table tennis. It is often played in homes and social settings and can be modified to fit the needs of the players.
Differences Between Ping Pong and Table Tennis
Equipment
The major difference between ping pong and table tennis is in the equipment. Table tennis has specific regulations for the type of equipment that is used. The table must be a certain size and the paddles must meet certain standards. The ball used in table tennis must also meet specific requirements and is regulated by the ITTF.
Ping pong does not have any specific regulations for the type of equipment used. The table, paddles, and ball can be of any size or material. This makes it easier to play the game in any setting and allows for more flexibility in the rules.
Rules
Table tennis is a sport that follows strict rules and regulations. It is a competitive sport that is played at the professional level. The rules are established by the ITTF and are strictly enforced.
Ping pong is a more relaxed version of the sport. The rules can be adapted to fit the needs of the players and can be changed depending on the situation. There is no governing body that regulates the rules of ping pong, so the rules are often determined by the players.
Scoring
The scoring system for table tennis is different than the scoring system for ping pong. In table tennis, a point is scored when a player fails to return the ball over the net or fails to hit the ball within the boundaries of the table. The first player to reach 11 points wins the game.
In ping pong, the scoring system can vary depending on the players. Some games use the 11-point system, while others use a different scoring system. The scoring system can also be modified to fit the needs of the players.
Why is it Called Table Tennis and Not Ping Pong?
Table tennis is the official name of the sport and is used by the ITTF and other governing bodies. The name “table tennis” was derived from the German word “Tischtennis” which translates to “table tennis”. The name “ping pong” was trademarked by a manufacturer of table tennis equipment and is used as an informal name for the sport.
Conclusion
Table tennis and ping pong are two names for the same sport. Table tennis is the official name of the sport and is regulated by the ITTF. Ping pong is an informal version of the sport and does not have any governing body that regulates the rules. The equipment used in the sport is different for both versions and the rules and scoring systems can vary. Despite having different names, the sport is the same and is enjoyed by people all around the world.