The line that runs across the sheet of ice tangent to the back of the 12 foot ring at the centre line.
BITER
A stone that just touches the outer edge of the 12 foot circle and is a potential point.
BLANK END
An end in which no points have been scored.
BLANKING AN END
The strategy by which a team deliberately blanks an end for the purpose of retaining last rock advantage.
BONSPIEL
A curling competition comprised of a number of different events usually played over a weekend.
BRICK
A slang term for the curling stone.
BRIER
The Brier is the Canadian Men's Curling Championship.
BROOM
A type of device used to sweep the ice in the path of the stone and may be manufactured with straw or synthetic fibers.
BRUSH
A type of device used to sweep the ice in the path of the stone and may be manufactured with hog's hair, horse hair or synthetic fibres.
BRUSHING
The act of moving the brush back and forth across the ice in front of a moving stone.
BUMPER, OR BACK-BOARD WEIGHT
A lightweight takeout thrown with sufficient momentum to reach the back board at the distant end.
BURNED STONE
A stone in motion touched by a member of either team, or any part of their equipment.
BUTTON
The one foot circle at the centre of the house.
CASH SPIEL
A bonspiel in which the prizes consist of cash awards.
CENTRE LINE
The line that runs from the mid-point between the hacks at one end of the ice to the mid-point between the hacks at the other end of the ice.
CHIP
To hit only a small portion of a stone.
CHIP AND ROLL, OR HIT AND ROLL
To hit a small portion of a stone and roll the delivered stone to another position.
CLEAN
To lightly sweep or brush in front of a stone to remove any debris.
COUNTER
Any stone in the rings or touching the rings which is a potential point.
DEAD HANDLE
A stone that is released with little or no rotation of the handle.
DOUBLE TAKEOUT
A takeout shot that removes two of the opponent's stones at one time.
DRAW WEIGHT
The momentum required for a stone to reach the house or circles at the distant end.
END
A portion of a curling game that is completed when each team has thrown eight stones and the score has been decided. A game consists of a specific number of ends, usually 8 or 10.
FAST ICE
Ice conditions that require very little momentum to produce the required weight.
FIFTH PLAYER
The substitute or alternate player on a team.
FLIPPED OUT
A stone that is released with poor technique which causes it to be wide of the skip's broom.
FREEZE
A precise draw weight shot in which the delivered stone comes to rest directly up against a stationary stone.
FRONT RING WEIGHT
A stone thrown with sufficient weight to reach the 12 foot circle in front of the T line and at the proximity of the centre line.
FROSTY ICE
Ice that has layer of frost on the surface usually caused by excess humidity.
GUARD
A stone that is placed in a position so that it may protect or potentially protect another stone.
HACK WEIGHT
A light weight takeout delivered with enough momentum for it to reach the hack at the distant end.
HACKS
The foot-holds at each end of the ice from which the stone is delivered.
HAIR
A bristle from a brush.
HAMMER
The last stone of an end.
HAVE A HEART
Taken from the TV show "Corner Gas" when the term "Hurry Hard" was mis-heard. It's either a joke or it means you should sweep.
HEART
The crest that is given to a team to signify winning a provincial/territorial championship which leads to a national championship.
HEAVY
A stone delivered with more momentum weight than was actually required.
HEAVY ICE
Slow ice. When ice conditions are such that more than the normal amount of momentum is required to produce the desired weight.
HIT
A takeout. Removal of a stone from the playing area by hitting it with another stone.
HOG LINE
A line 10 meters from the hack at each end of the ice. A stone, to be in play, must completely cross the hog line at the distant end.
HOUSE
The rings or circles toward which play is directed.
HURRY
A command given to the sweepers to sweep vigorously.
ICE
In the playing of a takeout or draw shot it is the distance between the skip's broom and the target stone or target area, determined by the amount of curl and weight anticipated.
IN-TURN
The rotation applied to the handle of a stone that causes to turn and curl in a clockwise direction for a right handed curler.
INSIDE
A stone delivered between the skip's broom and the intended target stone or target area.
JUNK
The style of play that has many stones in play.
KEEN ICE
Fast ice. When ice conditions are such that less than the normal amount of momentum is required to produce the desired weight.
LEAD
The first player on a team to deliver a pair of stones for his team in each end.
LIGHT
A stone delivered with less than the weight required to successfully complete the desired shot.
LOST TURN
A stone that does not maintain the rotation imparted at release.
MISSED THE BROOM
A stone delivered off the intended line of delivery which is determined by the skip's broom.
NARROW
A stone delivered between the skip's broom and the intended target stone or target area.
OFFICIAL
The umpire or referee responsible for ensuring the game is played according to the rules.
OUT-TURN
The rotation applied to the handle of a stone that causes to turn and curl in a counter- clockwise direction for a right handed curler.
OUTSIDE
A stone that is delivered to the opposite side of the broom than the target stone or target area.
OVER THE HOG LINE
A stone that is released from the curler's hand after reaching the hogline at the end of delivery.
PEBBLE
A fine spray of water applied to a sheet of curling ice before commencing play.
PEEL
A take out shot that removes a stone from play and the delivered stone also rolls out of play.
PEEL WEIGHT
The momentum required on a take out shot to remove a stone from play and also roll the delivered stone out of play.
PORT
An opening between two stones that is just large enough to allow passage of another stone.
RAISE
When one stone is bumped ahead or advanced by another stone.
READING ICE
The skill by which the skip anticipates the amount a stone will curl relative to the weight required.
RINGS
The circles towards which play is directed.
RINK
A team. Also the building in which the game is played.
ROLL
The movement of a curling stone after it has struck a stationary stone in play.
RUN
Small dips or hollows in the ice that restrict the stone from curling in its intended path.
RUNNER
A take out shot that travels very fast.
SECOND
The curler who delivers the second pair of stones for his team in each end.
SHEET
The specific playing surface upon which a curling game is played.
SHOT ROCK
At any time during an end, the stone which is closest to the button.
SKIP
The player who determines the strategy, reads the ice and directs play for his team. Generally the skip delivers the last pair of stones for his team in each end.
SLOW ICE
Heavy ice. Ice that requires more momentum than normal to produce the required amount of weight.
SPARE
An alternate player or substitute.
SPINNER
A stone that is released so that it rotates many times as it travels down the sheet.
SPLIT-RAISE
A stone that raises another stone into the rings and rolls in itself.
STRAIGHT HANDLE
A stone that is released without any rotation applied to the handle at release.
SWEEPING
The action of moving a broom or brush back and forth in the path of a moving stone.
SWINGY ICE
Ice conditions which cause the stone to curl a greater distance than normal.
TAKE OUT
Removal of a stone from the playing area by hitting it with another stone.
TEE LINE
The line that passes through the centre of the house that runs at right angles to the centre line.
THIRD, VICE-SKIP OR MATE
The third player on a team to throw two stones in each end. Generally this player acts as the skip when the skip is delivering his stones and assists with shot selection decisions.
TOURNAMENT OF HEARTS
The Canadian Womens Curling Championship.
TURNED IN
A stone which, at release, is directed toward the target or target area and not directly at the skip's broom.
WEIGHT
The momentum imparted to a curling stone in delivery.
WICK
To hit only a small portion of a stone.
WICK AND ROLL
To hit a small portion of a stone and roll the delivered stone to another location.
WIDE
A stone that is delivered to the opposite side of the broom than the target stone or target area.
WRECKED SHOT
A shot that accidently wicks off a stone in front of the house.
