Backgammon History

History

The name "backgammon"

From:   Albert Steg
Address:   asteg@tiac.net
Date:   14 March 1995
Subject:   BG --What's in the name?
Forum:   rec.games.backgammon
Google:   asteg.tiac.net-1403951718260001@asteg.tiac.net

> Why backgammon is called backgammon ??? Here's an account of backgammon names taken from one of my older books. The Jacoby/Crawford book also has an extensive chapter on BG history for those who enjoy this sort of thing. From _How to Play the New Backgammon_, Leila Hattersley, 1930: "The source of our own title for this widely popular game is disputed by historians. Some ascribe it to the Welsh "bach," (little), "cammum," (battle), while tohers trace it's source to the Saxon "baec" (back), and "gamen" (game), i.e., a game in which the men may be set back. "That Backgammon was played by the ancient Saxons and Welsh is indisputable. And it appears equally certain that both acquired it from the "ludus duodecim scriptorum" or twelve-line game of the Romans. The Roman Legions must have spread their beloved twelve-line game over the greater part of Europe, for everywhere the Roman eagles perched some form of the game became popular. "In most European countries to-day [1930], Backgammon is played under the French designation of Tric Trac, but the Italians accord it more honor by denominating it Tavola Reale, the royal table. "Our earliest accounts of the game, very nearly as we now play it, come form the England of Chaucer's time when it was known as Tables."

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