http://www.saywhydoi.com/on-the-ball-origin-and-meaning/ where the curious come to play! Wed, 20 Apr 2022 23:54:26 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v= http://www.saywhydoi.com/on-the-ball-origin-and-meaning/#comment-85919 Jim Mon, 04 Apr 2016 18:47:50 +0000 http://www.saywhydoi.com/?p=1738#comment-85919 Absolutely. The phrase "On the Ball" had to do with timekeeping in railroads after a disasterous collision at the end of the 19th century because an engineer's watch had stopped. To prevent a recurrance, Webb C. Ball was engaged as a time inspector to establish timekeeping standards for railroad chronometers used by railroad engineers and stationmasters for that railway. Webb Ball, a jeweler and watchmaker, established railroad chromometer standards. Those standards far exceeded today's Swiss COSC chonometer standards. Ball's subsequent watch company also made pocket watches which met those standards. He also established a service for re-certifying railroad chronometers every two weeks. Eventually, Webb Ball was the time inspector (and standards setter) for over half the nation's railways. Chronometers to those standards were required to vary no more than 30 seconds every week or about 4 seconds a day. Being "On the Ball" meant keeping time and punctuality within his railway standards and, later, being very punctual and meeting or exceeding standards in general. Absolutely. The phrase “On the Ball” had to do with timekeeping in railroads after a disasterous collision at the end of the 19th century because an engineer’s watch had stopped. To prevent a recurrance, Webb C. Ball was engaged as a time inspector to establish timekeeping standards for railroad chronometers used by railroad engineers and stationmasters for that railway. Webb Ball, a jeweler and watchmaker, established railroad chromometer standards. Those standards far exceeded today’s Swiss COSC chonometer standards. Ball’s subsequent watch company also made pocket watches which met those standards. He also established a service for re-certifying railroad chronometers every two weeks. Eventually, Webb Ball was the time inspector (and standards setter) for over half the nation’s railways. Chronometers to those standards were required to vary no more than 30 seconds every week or about 4 seconds a day. Being “On the Ball” meant keeping time and punctuality within his railway standards and, later, being very punctual and meeting or exceeding standards in general.

]]> http://www.saywhydoi.com/on-the-ball-origin-and-meaning/#comment-27183 ThatOne Wed, 18 Apr 2012 16:30:14 +0000 http://www.saywhydoi.com/?p=1738#comment-27183 "On the ball" is an expression which is applicable in any number of ball games, as in "focussed on the ball" and others, which has seeped across into general English. Nice try Joe with the free publicity for watches... I hope everyone was on the ball when they read that example of web-tosh “On the ball” is an expression which is applicable in any number of ball games, as in “focussed on the ball” and others, which has seeped across into general English. Nice try Joe with the free publicity for watches… I hope everyone was on the ball when they read that example of web-tosh

]]> http://www.saywhydoi.com/on-the-ball-origin-and-meaning/#comment-17222 Joe Wed, 28 Dec 2011 04:57:14 +0000 http://www.saywhydoi.com/?p=1738#comment-17222 Nice guess, but so wrong! On the Ball refers to someone that used a "Ball" pocket watch. Think about it...if a pitcher put something on the ball...they literally put something on it...spin, speed etc. You wouldn't use this to describe someone else. If, on the other hand, someone were exact, punctual, precise etc. You would say they're on the "Ball" pocket watch. Research Webb Ball and it will all make much more sense. Nice guess, but so wrong! On the Ball refers to someone that used a “Ball” pocket watch. Think about it…if a pitcher put something on the ball…they literally put something on it…spin, speed etc. You wouldn’t use this to describe someone else. If, on the other hand, someone were exact, punctual, precise etc. You would say they’re on the “Ball” pocket watch. Research Webb Ball and it will all make much more sense.

]]> http://www.saywhydoi.com/on-the-ball-origin-and-meaning/#comment-5963 Rosetta Jalow Sat, 20 Aug 2011 20:10:00 +0000 http://www.saywhydoi.com/?p=1738#comment-5963 Good to see this. Good to see this.

]]> http://www.saywhydoi.com/on-the-ball-origin-and-meaning/#comment-5031 Kay Roche Thu, 28 Jul 2011 08:11:46 +0000 http://www.saywhydoi.com/?p=1738#comment-5031 great post great post

]]> http://www.saywhydoi.com/on-the-ball-origin-and-meaning/#comment-4801 Chez Mon, 18 Jul 2011 07:22:27 +0000 http://www.saywhydoi.com/?p=1738#comment-4801 I’m glad I found this site. I have read your article and found it to be very interesting! I’m glad I found this site. I have read your article and found it to be very interesting!

]]>