General
gridiron
What does gridiron mean?
The football field, or American football itself, named for the crosshatched pattern of yard lines that once resembled a cooking grid.
"He was a legend on the gridiron in his college days."
Origin
American football; from the field's early grid-like appearance of chalk lines resembling a gridiron (grill).
Frequently asked questions
What does gridiron mean in football?
It refers to the football field, and by extension the sport of American football itself, from the grid-like pattern of chalk yard lines.
Why is a football field called a gridiron?
Early fields were marked with lines running both directions, creating a checkered grid that resembled a gridiron, an old cooking grill.
Is gridiron the same as American football?
In many countries, especially Australia, 'gridiron' is used as the name for the sport of American football to distinguish it from rugby and soccer.
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