Patrick Chaplin: The Language of Darts The Language of Darts ‘The man who cannot speak the lingo of the dart is nowadays an outcast’ Alan and Geoffrey D’Egville (Darts with the Lid Off (1938)) In July 2004 I received an e-mail from Micha Hofri who, whilst stating that my site was ‘a joy to read’, said it lacked that certain something for those just beginning to play darts; that something being an explanation of the terms used in darts. To an extent this criticism has been answered by the introduction of the section ‘How to play darts’ which makes clear what words such as ‘oche’ mean. In fact the word ‘oche’ also has a section of its own on the site, but Micha is right, I do need to bring folks’ attention to other expressions which can cause confusion ‘on the oche’. To expand Micha’s suggestion further, this article will also include explanations of some of the more common and the much more scarce words and phrases that are being – or have been – utilised in darts over the years.

As darts became more popular in Britain during the second and third decades of the twentieth century, it began to develop a language all of its own. By the time Rupert Croft-Cooke’s book Darts was published in 1936 he was able to provide a glossary of in excess of fifty terms and phrases used by dart players which he deemed to be ‘the most universal.’ However, he did point out that ‘every district has its own words’. However, Croft-Cooke took little or no interest in the origins of the expressions he recorded. The D’Egville’s, quoted at the beginning of this article, published a glossary of in excess of eighty words and phrases in 1938, many of which were drawn from Croft-Cooke’s earlier work whilst others appeared for the first time. When Croft-Cooke’s book was reviewed in the Times Literary Supplement the reviewer described the listing of these words and phrases common to the game of darts as ‘enthralling local history’. What distinguishes the private language of darts from that of other sports and games is that much of the idiom is parochial in nature and often reflects directly the working-class roots of the game.

In this article a selection of the words, terms and phrases listed by Croft-Cooke are quoted and then examined; Croft-Cooke’s definitions being compared with those revealed by my research. ‘BAG O’ NUTS – The number 45. I have heard this term in Berkshire, but it may be used more widely.' The term was used more widely, ‘Bag o’ Nuts’ being a common phrase used in darts in various parts of England. It has its origins in the fairground where a score of 45 on the darts stall in the 1930s would win the customer a bag of nuts. As times changed, the prize changed and when goldfish replaced the bag of nuts a score of 45 at darts led to the introduction of the phrase ‘Fish and globe’. ‘BULL CALF – A Gloucestershire expression indicating the number 33.’ For good reason Croft-Cooke kept his definition of this expression to a simple sentence. In a 1936 publication it is unlikely that he would have wished – or been allowed – to go into any greater detail on the subject.

In the 1980s the phrase ‘Bull Calf’ was still being used in Gloucestershire and most certainly in the Forest of Dean. The derivation relates to the method of discovering whether a calf, which is about to be delivered, is a bull or not – by touch. The number 33 when rotated through 90° in a clockwise direction would be a visual representation of that process. ‘CAT’S ON THE COUNTER – Means that the game is won and that the winners are ardently expecting the losers to invite them to have a drink.’ This has nothing whatsoever to do with any feline resident of the public bar but everything to do with the early pub. During the nineteenth century ‘Cat’ and ‘kitten’ were sizes of drinking vessel, the ‘cat’ being a quart pot and the ‘kitten’ either a pint or half pint pot. The game of darts is traditionally played for a drink and this is a cry from the victors to the vanquished that it is time their glasses were filled. ‘CONNAUGHT RANGERS – The number 88.

Military historians may know why this should be – I do not.’ The D’Egvilles added ‘Territorial number of Connaught Rangers.’ This link with the number 88 originates from the 88th (Connaught Rangers) Regiment of Foot which bore the title from 1793 to 1881. In 1881 the regiment was linked to the 94th Regiment of Foot to form the Connaught Rangers. After distinguished service in both the Boer War and the Great War the regiment was disbanded, in common with other Southern Irish regiments, on 31 July 1922, following the establishment of the Irish Free State. ‘FEATHERS – One of the innumerable synonyms for the number 33.

Its origin is the Cockney saying: “Thirty-three thousand feathers on a thrushes throat” or rather – in dialect - “Firty-free fousand fevvers on a frush’s froat,”’ Innumerable words and phrases of Cockney rhyming slang are utilised in the language of darts, including ‘Two Bee-Hives’ (two fives), ‘Two Hens (two tens) and ‘Plenty Too’ (twenty-two). Given that the centre of the dartboard manufacturing industry in the 1930s was the East End of London it is not surprising that rhyming slang should find its way into the game of darts. However, the true origins of this particular phrase attributed to Cockneys about the ‘froat’ of a ‘frush’– which appears to be mocking the Cockney accent - remain a mystery. ‘LEVEL PEGS – When the score of each side is equal there is no quibbling about so many each, or so much all.

“Level pegs” is said, tersely, to be the state of things.’ When darts was first played in public houses as a game of 101, 301, or 501, rather than simply throwing darts at a small concentric circle, the scoring was undertaken on a board originally used to score the card game of cribbage. The cribbage board, also utilised in the pub game of dominoes, scored by the movement of pegs around the board pegging the score by the number of holes. When the scores were level, the pegs were level, so if anyone wanted to know or comment on the score it would be ‘level pegging’ or ‘level pegs’. ‘LORD NELSON – This means the number 111 – the three ones. The origin is one eye, one arm…but really some of these terms need not be too fully investigated.’ Of this expression the D’Egville’s wrote ‘The origin of this is that our national hero boasted one arm, one eye, and – well, perhaps after all you’d better ask Joe Flukes.’ Never actually hinting at the remaining ‘one’, T. H.

White, who picked up the phrase in Gloucestershire, recorded ‘111 is known as Nelson, for a delightful reason that is unfortunately unprintable.’ In 1946 the complete phrase was still not revealed as Moore gave the meaning as ‘one eye, one arm, and one (let us say) ambition.’ The missing ‘one’ was – apparently - ‘one testicle’. It is hardly surprising then that this was not revealed to readers in 1936. ‘LORD SHERBORNE – An expression used only in the Cotswolds, denoting the number 33. I have been told in the district that it owes its origin to the fact that Lord Sherborne for many years drove a car with the index number 33. The car is no more, but like Tom Pearce’s Grey Mare it appears “gashy white” whenever that irritating number is required for a finish.’ Lord Sherborne, at the time of the publication of Darts, was James Huntley Dutton, 6th Baron Sherborne (1873-1949) who had succeeded his uncle in 1920.

The family seat was Sherborne Park, near Northleach in Gloucestershire. Many of the locals would have worked the land on Lord Sherborne’s and it is therefore not surprising that he would feature in the local language of darts. It is likely that Lord Sherborne had been one of the first car owners in the area. ‘MARRIED MAN’S SIDE – The area round the left of the board, where the numbers are of a high average. An uncertain player who has been trying to score on the 20, and only getting the 1 or the 5, may be advised to go “on the married man’s side.” Here, with the 16, 8, 11, 14, 9 and 12 to play on he is not likely to get less than 30, though it is no place for really outstanding totals.’ The one point of definition omitted by Croft-Cooke is why that side really was called the ‘married man’s side’. The D’Egville’s hinted at the explanation by referring to ‘The “safety first” side of the board.’ The phrase is more a reference to extra-marital activities than the institution of marriage.

The married man ‘always plays safe’. ‘UP IN ANNIE’S ROOM – Means that you now need the double 1, which is, of course, near the top of the board. I don’t know who Annie may have been – I like to think of her as a dignified barmaid of the Edwardian era with a mountain of chestnut hair and a passion for darts. Perhaps – who can tell? – she kept a dart-board in her bedroom on the top floor, and practised assiduously. At any rate, she has been immortalised by this almost universal expression.’ The earliest examples of the use of the phrase ‘(Up) in Annie’s Room’ located by the Oxford University Press come from the time of the First World War. The phrase was ‘an answer to questions as to the whereabouts of someone who cannot be found.’ When asked where a soldier was the reply would be “He’s up in Annie’s Room.” This implies that he was not where he should have been and even that he was ‘a bit of a lad’.

Thus it would have been easy for this light-hearted Services’ slang to cross over into the language of darts to mean the double 1, a place where the darter is not supposed to be, i.e. he should have finished his game much earlier. ‘WEAVERS DONKEY – The number 42, a Berkshire term.’ Croft-Cooke may have noted down this expression incorrectly, as the proper term is ‘Weavers Dobbie’. Alternatively ‘Weaver’s Donkey’ may be a local corruption of the correct phrase. A ‘dobbie’ is ‘a small…attachment to a loom for weaving small figures’. Dobbies were used on looms ‘to increase the warp figuring capacity by up to 48 shafts.’ It might well be that the type of dobbie used in Berkshire was for 42 shafts. This connection with the textile industry of Berkshire is interesting in terms of the actual longevity of darts which may have existed in that area longer than previously imagined. The Berkshire textile industry – with Reading as its centre – virtually died out in the eighteenth century. Alternatively the phrase may have been passed to darts via some other pastime or general usage.

Whilst travelling through Gloucestershire in the 1930s T. H. White collected a number of words and phrases utilised by dart players. He recorded a score of 81 being greeted with a call of ‘Snowstorm’ because there was apparently a blizzard in the area in 1881, whilst ‘While-Shepherds-Watched’ meant 62 ‘because the hymn of that name is numbered thus in the local hymn-book’. Much of the language of darts has its origins quite naturally in the ribald language of the public bar or vault. ‘Lord Nelson’ and ‘Up in Annie’s Room’ are clear examples, as is ‘Euston Road’, quoted by the D’Egvilles as meaning ‘Two fours’ and who wrote ‘We know why, but you must ask someone else.’ Again the phrase has its roots in Cockney rhyming slang – two whores, two fours – Euston Road being where they plied their trade.

In addition the links with the fairground, a major cause of the spread of the popularity of darts during the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries can be evidenced through expressions such as ‘Bag o’ nuts’ and ‘Fish and globe’ and also ‘Cup and Saucer’, another prize given at fairs and fetes. One extreme of the latter appears in a work by H. G. Wells where, at a village fete ‘Teddy and Letty and Cissie and Hugh were developing a quite disconcerting skill at the dart-throwing, and were bent upon compiling a complete tea-set for the Teddy cottage out of their ‘winnings’.’ The language of darts also has links with the ‘lingo’ of bingo, otherwise known as the army game of ‘house’ or ‘housey-housey’. These include ‘clickety-click’ (66), but, as the origins of the game of ‘house’ may themselves lie in an early form of darts game played in fairgrounds, it would be unreasonable to make any firm assumptions in this respect until that avenue of research is properly investigated and the outcome known.

Many of the terms are ‘enthralling local history’, one further example being ‘Lumbs’ a word only used by dart players in the neighbourhood of Hornsey, North London when they needed double 11 for game. Mr. Lumbs was the pawnbroker who operated from 11, High Street, Hornsey and would have been well known to the working-class population of the area. Although ‘Connaught Rangers’ as part of the idiom of darts could have had its origins in the early part of the twentieth century, ‘Cat’s on the Counter’ is definitely nineteenth century. Further research is necessary to identify whether this is truly an original darts term or a generic one passed on to it from another pub game such as dominoes or cribbage, i.e. that it was already a term in general usage for ‘There’s the bar. Losers pay.’ The language of darts developed from a myriad of sources. Many words and phrases were inherited, others original or hybrids, but all reflected to a lesser or greater extent the working class roots of the game, be it a rather lewd reference to a national hero or a hidden local reference to the sexing of calves.

According to Croft-Cooke, by the mid-1930s, when the game of darts was reaching the height of its popularity, there were over fifty words and phrases in common usage, many of which survive today. In 1989 an eminent sports historian wrote that ‘Darts is a good example of the power of popular culture creating a private language for players.' In 2011 darts professional Bobby George and I published Scoring for Show, Doubles for Dough - Bobby George's Darts Lingo being a hilarious, comprehensive guide to the language of darts. For further information or to order a copy go to © Patrick Chaplin 2007 (Updated July 2012) Darts History Navigation Darts | Dartboard | Dartboards | Dart Flights Dart Flights Darts Glossary Choose A Letter: ANNIE'S ROOM - The number One (1). ARROWS - Another term for darts . ARCHER - Refers to a player who throws very quick smooth darts -B- BABY TON - A score of 95, usually by scoring five 19s. BAG O' NUTS - A score of 45.

BARREL - The metal body of the darts where they are gripped. BASEMENT - The double-3. BOTTOM OF THE BOARD - The numbers on the bottom half of the dartboard . BOUNCE OUT - When a dart hits a wire on the board flush-on and bounces back off the dartboard . Can be potentially dangerous to spectators who are too close. BREAKFAST - (or BED 'N' BREAKFAST) A score of 26, made up of a single-5, single-20, single-1 in a game of x01. This is a common score in darts because players aiming for the 20 sector (which contains the highest scoring area on the dartboard ) will often accidentally hit the 1 and the 5 sectors, which are located on either side of the 20. The term comes from the typical price of a bed-and-breakfast in times gone by: 2 shillings and sixpence, or "two and six". (See also "CHIPS") BUCKET/BAG OF NAILS - Landing all three darts in the 1s. BUCKSHOT - A throw when darts land wildly all over the dartboard .

BULL-OFF - See DIDDLE FOR THE MIDDLE. BULLSEYE (or BULL) - The bull's eye, which has an Outer Bull and an Inner Bull. BUST - Hitting more than you needed in an x01 game. The darts do not count and the player begins his next turn on the same score he had prior to. -C- CRICKET - In a Cricket game this refers to high scores base on the number of darts scored. For example a triple-20, single-20, single-20 would be called a C-5 because "5 darts " were scored with three darts . CHAMPAGNE BREAKFAST - Hitting treble 20, treble 1 and treble 5 in three darts (see "BREAKFAST") CHIPS - A score of 26. (See also: "BREAKFAST") CHUCKER - A player who just "chucks" the darts at the board, doesn't aim or care.

CIRCLE IT - When a player scores a single digit (less than 10) with three darts , his team-mates would shout out "Circle it!" to the scorekeeper to highlight the terrible throw. A variation on this tradition is to draw a fish around the score, often leading to aquarium-related jokes being aimed at particularly poor or unlucky players. CLOCK - The dartboard itself, usually in the context of "ROUND THE CLOCK". CORK - The center of the dartboard . This comes from the cork in the end of a keg where it is tapped. The ends of kegs were used for targets in the game's early days. COVER - A term frequently used by Sid Wadell, meaning aiming for treble 19. -D- DAIRYLEA DARTS - A throw that is 'spread' around the board, named after the cheese spread Dairylea. DEVIL - The treble-6, so called due to '666', and the fact that it is often hit in error when going for treble-13 or treble-10.

DIDDLE FOR THE MIDDLE - A throw to see who gets one dart closer to the bullseye to determine who throws first in the game. Also known as a "BULL OFF", "MIDDLE FOR MIDDLE" and "OUT FOR BULL". DOUBLE - The thin outer ring of the dartboard . In standard x01 games, a double counts for two times the number hit. DOUBLE-BULL - On dartboards configured with a bullseye consisting of two concentric circles, the outer circle is commonly green and worth 25 and the inner circle is commonly red and worth 50 points. Hitting the innermost ring of this type of bullseye is a "DOUBLE-BULL". (See also: "BULLSEYE") DOUBLE IN - A variant of x01 in which a double is needed to start the game. DOUBLE TOP - The double 20. DOUBLE TROUBLE - Not being able to hit the double needed to win the game. DOWNSTAIRS - The lower portion of the dartboard , usually in reference to the 19s in a game of x01. -E- EASY IN - A game that requires no special shot to begin scoring.

EDDIE SHUFFLE - The art of adjusting ones stance or position along the ockey in an attempt to circumnavigate a troublesome 'blocking' dart. Also referred to as The Milk Float. -F- FOGLE - A series of castaway darts thrown with no other purpose than to irritate opponents. FLIGHTS - The "feathers" of the dart that give it aerodynamic float. Also known as wings. -G- GAME ON - Advises all players that the match has now started GAME SHOT - Signifies that the match winning double has been hit GRANNY - A lose without scoring, see SHUT OUT -H- HAT TRICK - A score of three bullseyes. HIGH TON - A score greater than 150. HOCKEY - A raised 1 1/2" board used to mark the throwing line. -I- INNING - A round of completed turns by both players, or a turn in a particular game that has innings, like Baseball or Shanghai. -L- LEG - A game in a match, as in "the best of five legs", in which each leg is an entire game. Or, in the game of Legs, a stripe on the dart board .

-M- MAD HOUSE - The double-1. At least two explanations for the term have been proffered; because it can drive you crazy trying to hit one in a game of x01, or because it impossible to "get out" of the mad house - once a player has a score of 2 the only way to finish the game is by hitting a double-1. MAXIMUM - A score of 180 MAXIMUM CHECK-OUT - A score of 170 to end a game. treble-20, treble-20, inner bull MUGS AWAY - Loser of the previous game goes first in the next game. MURPHY - A score of single-5, single-20, single-1 in a game of x01. Based on Murphy's Law. -N- NAIL - Another word for 1. See "Bucket of Nails" and "Ton of Nails". NINE DARTER - When a player completes a game of 501 in the minimum required nine- darts . This is a very rare event. There is usually a cash prize for professionals throwing a televised nine-darter.

NOT OLD - A score of 37 (usually by hitting a 20, a 5 and a 12). The phrase is believed to have its origins in a Monty Python sketch. -O- OCHE - The line you stand behind and throw the darts from. -P- PERFECT SCORE - When a player scores a maximum 180 points in one throw of three darts . PERFECT FINISH - When a player finishes a game with a maximum score of 170. This must be done by scoring treble 20, treble 20, double bull, with only three darts . This is considerably more difficult than hitting a perfect score as the player must break focus to change targets and it can only be done if the player has an exact score of 170 remaining. PIE - any of the numbered segments on the dartboard . POPCORN - When the darts land so close to each other, they knock their flights out. -R- REDEEMER - A dart , (often a T20) that "redeems" two previous poor efforts. RIGHT CHURCH - Term for hitting a double or triple, but the wrong number.

Also known as "DADDY'S BED" ROBIN HOOD - When you shoot a dart into the shaft of another. ROUND OF NINE - Throwing three triples in one turn in Cricket. ROUND THE CLOCK - Any of a number of game variants where players compete to be the first to hit all the sectors on the dartboard in an agreed order (usually numerical), finishing with the outer bull followed by the bull. In some versions hitting a double entitles the player to skip the next number, with a treble entitling the player to skip two numbers. Also commonly played by single players as a form of practice. -S- SCROAT - A dart that is aimed for treble 20, but ends up in double 20. SET - A scoring method used in many tournaments. SHAFT - The middle section of the darts that holds the Flight . SHANGHAI - A score of a single, double and triple in the same number. "Shanghai" sometimes refers to a checkout of 120 (single, treble and double 20, also as "Shanghai 20"). In some games this is an automatic win. This is also the name of a game.

SHARKEY - A non-registered player who has to assume a false identity in order to fill in for an absent player in a league game, e.g. "due to poor turnout, The Arms had to use a Sharkey". SHUT OUT - When you lose a game without ever scoring in it. SINGLE BULL - On dartboards configured with a bullseye consisting of two concentric circles, the outer circle is commonly green and worth 25 and the inner circle is commonly red and worth 50 points. Hitting the outermost ring of this type of bullseye is a "SINGLE-BULL". (See also: "BULLSEYE") SKUNKED - When you lose a game without ever scoring in it. SLOP - Darts that score, but not where you wanted them. SPIDER - The metal web that divides the dartboard into sections. SPLASH - Darts that score, but not where you wanted them. SPRAY 'N' PRAY - Darts thrown by an irate and less talented player, rather quickly STICKS - The darts themselves. STRAIGHT IN - A game that requires no special shot to begin scoring.

STRIKING OIL - Hitting a double bull when 'diddling for the middle' - comes from the black centre of some modern dart boards . -T- THREE IN A BED - Three darts in the same triple of a number. i.e. three triple 20's 180! THROW LINE - The line you stand behind and throw the darts from. TOE LINE - The line you stand behind and throw the darts from. TON - A score of 100 in a game of x01. Scores over 100 would be called a "ton-whatever" for example, a ton-thirty would be a score of 130. TON OF NAILS - A score of 5 where all three darts fell in the 1 bed with 1 dart in the treble 1. TOP BANANA - Double 20. Usually exclaimed after hitting this bed to win a match. TOP OF THE BOARD - The numbers on the top half of the dartboard . TOPS - The double 20 bed. As in "he wants tops for the match".

TRIPLE/TREBLE - The thin inner ring of the dartboard , it usually counts for three times the number hit. -U- UPSTAIRS - The upper half of the dartboard -W- Darts | Dart Games | Dart Rules Glossary Of Dart Terms & Phrases ANNIE'S ROOM: The number 1. ARROWS: Darts. BABY TON: A score of 95, usually by scoring five 19's. BAG O' NUTS:A score of 45. BARREL: The part of a dart you grip, right behind the point. BASEMENT: The double-3. BREAKFAST: A score of single-5, single-20, single-1 in a game of x01. This was based on the typical price of a bed-and-breakfast, 26 pence. BUCKET OF NAILS: Landing all three darts in the 1's. BUCKSHOT: When you're darts land wildly all over the board. BULL: The center of the board. BULLSEYE: The center of the board. BUST: Hitting more than you needed in an x01 game, and the darts don't count.

C: In a Cricket game this refers to high scores base on the number of darts scored. For example a triple-20, single-20, single-20 would be called a C-5 because "5 darts" were scored with three darts. CHUCKER: A player who just "chucks" the darts at the board, doesn't aim or care. CIRCLE IT: When a player scores a single digit (less than 10) with three darts, his team-mates would shout out "Circle it!" to the scorekeeper to highlight the terrible throw. CLOCK: The dart board. CORK: The center of the board. This comes from the cork in the end of a keg where it is tapped. The ends of kegs were used for targets in the begining of darts. DIDDLE FOR MIDDLE: A throw to see who gets one dart closer to the bullseye to determine who shoots first in the game. DOUBLE: The thin outer ring of the board, it usually counts for two times the number hit. DOUBLE IN: A double is needed to start the game. DOUBLE OUT: A double is needed to win the game.

DOUBLE TOP: The double-20. DOUBLE TROUBLE: Not being able to hit the double needed to win the game. DOWNSTAIRS: The lower portion of the board, usually in refernce to the 19's in a game of x01. EASY IN: A game that requires no special shot to begin scoring. FEATHERS: The "wings" at the end of a dart that make it fly straight. Also known as flights. FEATHERS: The number 33. FLIGHTS: The "wings" at the end of a dart that make it fly straith. Also known as feathers. HAT TRICK: A score of three bullseyes. HOCKEY: The line you you stand behind and throw the darts from. ISLAND: The actual playable area of a dart board (inside the doubles ring). If you miss, your "Off the island". LEG: One game of a match. MAD HOUSE: The double-one, because it can drive you crazy trying to hit one in a game of x01.

MIDDLE FOR MIDDLE: A throw to see who gets one dart closer to the bullseye to determine who shoots first in the game. MONGER: A person who deliberately scores many more points than needed to win the game. MUGS AWAY: Loser of the previous game goes first in the next game. MURPHY: A score of single-5, single-20, single-1 in a game of x01. Based on Murphy's Law. OCHE: The line you you stand behind and throw the darts from. POINT MONGER: A person who deliberately scores many more points than needed to win the game. POPCORN: When the darts land so close to each other, they knock their flights out. RIGHT CHURCH, WRONG PEW or RIGHT HOUSE, WRONG BED: When you a double or triple, but the wrong number. ROBIN HOOD: When you shoot a dart into the shaft of another. SHAFT: The part of a dart behind the barrel when the flights are mounted. SHANGHAI: A score of a single, double and triple in the same number. In some games this is an automatic win. This is also the name of a game.

SHUT OUT: When you lose a game without ever scoring in it. SKUNKED: When you lose a game without ever scoring in it. SLOP: Darts that score, but not where you wanted them. SPIDER: The metal web that divede the dart board. SPLASH: Darts that score, but not where you wanted them. STRAIGHT IN: A game that requires no special shot to begin scoring. THREE IN A BED: Three darts in the same number. THROW LINE: The line you you stand behind and throw the darts from. TOE LINE: The line you you stand behind and throw the darts from. TON: A score of 100 in a game of x01. Scores over 100 would be called a "ton-whatever" for example, a ton-thirty would be a score of 130. triple: The thin inner ring of the board, it usually counts for three times the number hit. UPSTAIRS: The upper portion of the board, usually in reference to the 20's. WIRE: Darts that just miss where you aimed but on the other side of the spider.

X: A double-1 out. Darts Glossary B Darts Glossary B Darts Glossary B BABY TON A total score of 95, all done by throwing 3 darts. Usually throwing five 19’s eg. 1 trip 19, 2 x single 19’s BAG O’ NUTS Scoring 45 points by throwing 3 darts BAIL OUT DART During a throw of 3 darts, the first 2 darts misses, but the 3rd dart hits the target. Also called a “Hail Mary Dart” or a “Barn Dart”. BARREL The part of the dart where the player holds or grips the dart. Mostly the thickest part of the dart made from metal. BARRY BONANZA When a player with very little darts skills completes and wins the game while still having a huge score of a 100 or above. BASEMENT The double 3 on the dartboard. It is positioned right in the middle at the bottom of the dartboard. BED A specific section of the specific pie-section of a specific number eg. double 20 or triple 20 etc.

BLACK DOG The smallest circle right in the center of the dartboard known as the INNER or DOUBLE bull, counting 50 points. Also known as the BLACKEYE. BLACKEYE The smallest circle right in the center of the dartboard known as the INNER or DOUBLE bull, counting 50 points. Also known as the BLACK DOG. BLACKHAT Hitting 3 Bulls in one throw. Also known as a “Hat Trick”. BOMBS When a darter uses large heavy darts they are known as bombs or "BOMBERS". BONES When a double 1 is needed to win the game. BOUNCE OUT When a dart hits the dartboard wire and the dart bounces back off the dartboard. Can be dangerous for anyone standing close to the dartboard,specifically if hitting the eyes. BREAKFAST Scoring 26 points by throwing 3 darts, hitting a single 20, 5, and 1. Also known as a "Classic", "Chips", "Fish & Chips" or "Bed & Breakfast".

The term was derived from the price of a typical breakfast in England costing “two and six” at that time.("2 shillings and sixpence" or "two and six"). Interesting to note the number 20 is right in the middle on top of the dartboard with the numbers 5 and 1 to the left and right of the 20. Many people when aiming for the 20 will hit the 5 and 1 instead of the 20. BUCKET OF NAILS When all three darts hits the single 1. Some people call it "The Eric Bristow", because he once threw all 3 darts in the single 1 during a televised tournament. Also known as "BUCKET" or "BAG OF NAILS BUCKSHOT When the three darts that was thrown is scattered all over the dartboard BULL The round circle/s right in the center of the dartboard. The INNER(Double) bull is the small eye right in the center counting 50 points, and the OUTER(Single) bull, the bigger ring just outside of it counting 25 points.

Also known as the "BULLSEYE" BULL AND CORK Right in the center of the bullseye. BULL-OFF When two players throw for the "closest to the bullseye" to determine who will play first. Also known as "DIDDLE FOR THE MIDDLE", "BULL UP", "MIDDLE FOR MIDDLE" or "OUT FOR BULL" BULL OUT When a double bull is needed to win the game. BULL UP When two players throw for the "closest to the bullseye" to determine who will play first. Also known as "DIDDLE FOR THE MIDDLE", "BULL OFF", "MIDDLE FOR MIDDLE" or "OUT FOR BULL". BULLSEYE The round circle/s right in the center of the dartboard. The INNER(Double) bull is the small eye right in the center counting 50 points, and the OUTER(Single) bull, the bigger ring just outside of it counting 25 points. Also known as the "BULL" BUNTING Throwing darts by standing on your knees. BURGESS’ FIFTY Also known as WANKER’S FIFTY.

Normally when an inexperienced player aims for the treble 20 but instead hits the single 20, single 18 and single 12 for a total of 50. BUST In any 01 game eg. 301 or 501 you have to close or end the game with a double to win. If you only need 16 more score to win, you will need to throw a double 8 (2 x 8 = 16). If you miss and hit the double 16 instead, you "BUST" because you hit 32 (2 x 16 = 32) and only needed 16. Also known as "BUSTICLES".

Question: In the game of darts, what score is known as ‘Bag O’nuts’?
Answer: 45