What's the etymology of the word 'Let' in tennis?

Landon Stryker

28 Feb, 2023

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The word 'Let' has been used in the sport of tennis for centuries, but where did it come from? The etymology of 'Let' in tennis is not entirely clear, but there are a few theories as to its origin.

One popular theory is that the word 'Let' comes from the French word l'et, which means 'to bring'. This theory suggests that when a ball hits the net and then lands in the correct area of the court, it is considered to have been 'brought' to the correct place. This is why players are allowed to try again and play a 'let'.

Another theory is that the word 'Let' comes from the Old English word lettan, which means 'to delay'. This theory suggests that when a ball hits the net, the player has to wait for the referee to decide whether the ball is in or out. This delay is why the term 'Let' is used in tennis.

Regardless of the origin of the word 'Let', it is an integral part of the game of tennis and has been used for centuries. It is a reminder to players that they should always be prepared for a change of course and that no matter what happens, they should always strive to stay in the game.

The word ‘let’ is an important part of the game of tennis, but where did it come from? Let’s take a closer look at the etymology of this word and its use in the sport.

The word ‘let’ originates from Middle English, where it was used to mean “hinder” or “stop”. This is because when a ball was hit out of bounds, the player had to “let” the point go. This then evolved into its modern usage in tennis, where it means the same thing: to hinder or stop play when a ball goes out of bounds.

In tennis, the word ‘let’ is used to indicate that a point should be replayed. This usually happens when a ball hits the net or goes out of bounds. This can be a difficult situation for players as they must decide whether or not to call a ‘let’ and replay the point. In some cases, players may call a ‘let’ even if the ball was in bounds, in order to gain an advantage.

The use of the word ‘let’ in tennis is an important part of the sport and its etymology can help us to understand its usage. The word has evolved over time and is now used to indicate when a point should be replayed. Knowing this, players can use it to their advantage and gain an edge in their game.

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