spitball

[ spit-bawl ]

/ ˈspɪtˌbɔl /

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noun

a small ball or lump of chewed paper used as a missile.

Also called spitter. Baseball. a pitch, illegal since 1920, made to curve by moistening one side of the ball with saliva or other slippery substance, as perspiration or petroleum jelly

verb (used with or without object)

Informal. to throw out new ideas by engaging in spontaneous and unfiltered brainstorming: I’m just spitballing here, but I think we should ask the interns to test the product at home.Now that the film is in production, it’s too late to spitball an alternate ending.

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The rainy weather could not ________ my elated spirits on my graduation day.

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Origin of spitball

An Americanism dating back to 1840–50; spit¹ + ball¹

Words nearby spitball

spissatus, spissitude, spit, spital, spit and polish, spitball, spitballer, spitchcock, spit curl, spite, spite fence

How to use spitball in a sentence

Then take a wrapped straw, unwrap it, tear off a little piece of paper and make a spitball.
Why the Biathlon Makes Bonds of Us All|Brett Singer|February 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Where was the outrage when Gaylord Perry, whose best pitch was an illegal spitball, was still elected to the Hall of Fame?
Clemens Prosecutors Strike Out|Buzz Bissinger|July 15, 2011|DAILY BEAST
But the very first "spitball" which spattered upon the blackboard proved a disastrous missile for its thrower.
Cy Whittaker's Place|Joseph C. Lincoln
Hooper was a spitball artist, and his moist slants kept the Giants guessing in the early part of the game.
Baseball Joe, Home Run King|Lester Chadwick

He had never cared for the spitball, as he knew that sooner or later it destroyed a pitchers effectiveness.
Baseball Joe, Home Run King|Lester Chadwick
There are also other modifications called "the fade away," "the spitball," and others.
Outdoor Sports and Games|Claude H. Miller
I thought I could go through the motion of throwing a spitball without letting it go.
The Iron Puddler|James J. Davis