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Expression of the Day
Puzzle #232 · January 19, 2026

nine ball

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Every day one two-word expression or compound word used in American English.

A variation of pool, or billiards, played on a table, with a cue, where the goal is to pocket the balls numbered 1 through 9.

In the Tom Cruise movie, The Color of Money, they played 9 ball. Here is a classic scene where you can clearly see this Tom Cruise character is very different from all the other one's he has played.
Puzzle Appearances

The expression nine ball has appeared in 1 puzzle:

  • Puzzle #232 on January 19, 2026
Rate of Appearance in English Language Print

Google's Ngram project shows how often a pair of words has appeared in print every year since the 1800's.

Data from Google Books Ngram Viewer. Licensed under CC BY 3.0.

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Think you've mastered Americanisms? The two-word phrases, compound words and idiomatic expressions of American English? Each day the Wordcels Puzzle provides 15 words that must be arranged to form 16 expressions. Give it a try.

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