Learn English – Where does the term “Grand Slam” come from

etymology

The four majors in tennis are known as Grand Slams.

The "Grand" part clearly defines the prestige/size of the event but where do we get the word "Slam" from in this context?

Basic research shows that it originated perhaps in bridge/whist-type card games.

Does it carry the same history as the Scandinavian slamra for the verb "to slam"?

Best Answer

Etymonline dates the single word "slam" to the 1600s, but not the term "grand slam" (although they're likely connected). The entry for "grand slam":

Grand slam in bridge first recorded 1892; earlier in related card games from 1814; figurative sense of "complete success" is attested from 1920; in baseball sense from 1935.

The OED has all the same years (apart from baseball in 1953: is etymonline's a typo?).

I've antedated three of etymonline's four senses.

Related card games

I found an antedating for at least the "related card games" sense (OED: 1814), from The Sporting Magazine, For July 1800 (the 1814 being a revision of this):

... order which they supersede other; the highest is Grand Slam that is, undertaking to get thirteen tricks.

This is under "Rules for the Game of Cards called Boston" which it says is a "small Pamphlet, Price 6d, Gravesend, Printed by R. Pocock, and sold by Messrs. Robinsons, London" and:

The Game of Boston according to the Introduction to this little Tract was first invented by the officers of the French army in America during the late war there, and has been since introduced into this country by the officers of the Russian ships of war.

Complete success

Another antedating I found is in the context of baseball, but rather than a homerun it refers to a complete success (OED: 1920). From a report in the newspaper The Garden Island., July 07, 1914:

It was surely one, grand slam that the All Students baseball team put over on Kauai last Saturday, and most people have spent a lot of time since trying to figure out how it happened.

Baseball

In baseball a grand slam is a home run. The OED has it from 1953 and etymonline since 1935 (but is that a typo?). Here's Babe Ruth writing in The Evening World, August 20, 1920 (Wall St. - Final Edition - Extra):

In less than two full seasons, 1919 and 1920, my grand slams mount up to seventy. Do you know that the home run leaders of the American League ran up a total of only seventy-two in eight full seasons from 1908 to 1915, inclusive? Any more brown derbies around?

Some others early uses

From the UK Guardian and Times:

GOLF The Manchester Guardian (1901-1959); Sep 17, 1901; ProQuest Historical Newspapers: The Guardian and The Observer pg. 9:

The amateur, ladies', Irish open, and South of Ireland championships is a fine-looking bad for one club, and it may perhaps only have been due to the unfortunate coincidence of the Lahinch and Aberdovey meetings that the Royal Liverpool did not win a "grand slam."

SPORTING INTELLIGENCE: LONDON BETTING, WEDNESDAY The Manchester Guardian (1901-1959); Apr 3, 1902; ProQuest Historical Newspapers: The Guardian and The Observer pg. 9:

Last in a list of horses:

The SLOUGH MAIDEN PLATE of 103 sovs.; weight for age; penalty and allowance. One mile.

...

Mr. L. McCreery's Grand Slam, 3 yrs, 7st 7lb (car. 7st 8lb)

Boxing.. (FROM A CORRESPONDENT.). The Times (London, England), Monday, Jun 16, 1919; pg. 4:

It should be added that Mr. Cochran has decided to present a belt to the winner to-morrow night, so that if Beckett wins there will be two heavy-weight belt holders at the same time.

There is not likely to be the finesse seen at the Olympia that we expect to see to-night, indeed there is seldom any finesse in a "grand slam."

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