Splits

[messyshack]

I've wondered this for a long time, why is a split not a split if the head pin is standing? For example the 2-4-10 is a split but the 1-2-4-10 is not a split. Is it just because the rules say if the head pin is standing there is no split or is there different reason?

[litefrozen]

That's a tough one. I've looked before for it and never ran across anything about it.
I would guess that it came from a English cricket term at some point. Some other bowling terms come from English cricket also.

In a technical sense a washout is a split and in most definitions it's only these certain pin arrangements.

"The 1-2-4-7-10, 1-2-4-10 or 1-2-10 (for a right hander); or, 1-3-6-7-10, 1-3-6-7 or 1-3-7 (for a left hander)after the first ball. "

Though a lot of bowlers call any leave with the head pin still standing a washout.

Also a washout has it's own mark on a score sheet. a split has a circle around the first ball pin count, a washout has a "W" written above the first ball pin count (but that has generally gone out of use).

Hers another one
THE PBA WASHOUT: Leaving the 2-8-10 for righthanders and the 3-7-9 for lefties.

I like this one-
JERSEY SQUASHER: When the ball hits the headpin straight on and strikes.