• 23 July 2023
What is the origin of the word 'Love' in tennis?

In my deep dive into tennis terminology, I discovered that the origin of the term 'Love' in tennis is quite fascinating. It's believed to have derived from the French term "l'oeuf," meaning 'the egg,' which symbolizes zero in many cultures due to its shape. The English mispronounced this term as 'love,' and it stuck around to mean a score of zero in tennis. So, when you hear 'love' in a tennis match, it's not about affection but rather an unfortunate score of zero. Interesting how language evolves, isn't it?