Fore!

Although a golf ball is very small and weighs just 46 grams, when hit properly it leaves the tee at 70 metres a second. It's best to stay out of its way, then. That's why "Fore!" is shouted as a warning during a golf game when it looks as if the ball may hit other players or spectators.

It would be linguistically logical if "fore" were related to the German Vorsicht, but if you play golf in Germany, you'll usually hear people shouting "Fore!" instead of "Vorsicht!" or "Achtung!" Is this one more example of English-language imperialism? Not really. Golf is a historical game. Players all over the world love the traditions connected with their sport, which originated in Scotland around the 12th century, when shepherds were hitting stones into rabbit holes on what is now the Old Course at St Andrews. In golf English, "fore" means "ahead". It is said to come from the military expression "Beware before!", which was shouted when artillery was being fired behind friendly troops.

I know all this because I've just finished writing an article about golfing in Wales for the September issue of Spotlight. Why Wales? Well, that's where the Ryder Cup will be played from 1 to 3 October. Read all about it in the September Spotlight.

Teeing off at the Bryn Meadows Golf Course, Caerphilly, Wales. Photo: Eamonn Fitzgerald