pall-mall

pall–mall

noun
\ˌpel-ˈmel, ˌpal-ˈmal, US often ˌpȯl-ˈmȯl\

Definition of PALL-MALL

: a 17th century game in which each player attempts to drive a wooden ball with a mallet down an alley and through a raised ring in as few strokes as possible; also : the alley in which it is played

Origin of PALL-MALL

Middle French pallemaille, from Italian pallamaglio, from palla ball (of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German balla ball) + maglio mallet, from Latin malleus — more at ball, maul

First Known Use: 1598