ballhawks
|ball-hawks|
/ˈbɔːl.hɔːks/
(ballhawk)
player who snatches the ball
Etymology
'ballhawk' originates from American English as a compound of 'ball' and 'hawk', where 'hawk' was used figuratively for a person who aggressively hunts or pursues.
'ballhawk' is a modern compound formed in the 20th century in sports slang; 'hawk' itself comes from Old English 'hafoc' meaning the bird 'hawk', later used figuratively for someone who hunts or pursues.
Initially a literal sense combining 'ball' + 'hawk' (someone like a hawk after balls), it evolved into slang referring to players who take the ball (interceptors) or fans who grab balls in the stands.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a defensive player (especially in American football) known for frequently intercepting passes or otherwise taking the ball away from the opponent.
Ballhawks often change the momentum of a game with timely interceptions.
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Noun 2
a spectator (especially at baseball games) who actively tries to catch foul balls, home runs, or other balls that enter the stands.
Ballhawks lined the foul-ball area, hoping to grab souvenirs.
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Last updated: 2026/01/06 14:18