spaldeen

American  

[spawl-deen] / spɔlˈdin /

noun

Chiefly New York City.

1. a smooth, pink rubber ball used in playing catch, stickball, etc.

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Etymology

Origin of spaldeen

Said to be after Spalding a trademark

Example Sentences

The pitcher launched his projectile, a bright pink ball known as a spaldeen, and the batters, squinting into the sun, swung their narrow sticks, missing entirely, more often than not.

From New York Times • Aug. 28, 2013

Earlier, another Democrat, John C. Liu, pounded the spaldeen four times that distance, sending the ball arcing over Cadman Plaza as the sun glinted off the Manhattan Bridge in the distance.

From New York Times • Aug. 28, 2013

My sporting life in Brooklyn had actually begun with something smaller than a dodgeball, playing catch with my father with a spaldeen.

From New York Times • Sep. 15, 2012

Also approved: el, spaldeen, pedicab, bodega, schlep, tchotchke.

From New York Times • Apr. 13, 2012