Glossary

Like any sport, petanque has its own special vocabulary. The following are a list of common phrases with explanations.

To Have the point
To have one or more boules placed closer to the jack than those of the opponent(s).

Pointing
To throw one's boule with the intent of stopping near the jack (also known as placing).

Shooting
To throw one's boule at one of the opponent's boules to knock it out of play. This is often done when the opponent has pointed his/her boule very close to the jack.

Lob
To throw one's boule in a high arc so that when it lands it only rolls minimally.

À carreau
A special feat in which the shooter knocks the opponent's boule out while leaving his boule at or very near the point of impact (pronounced car-o).

To fanny (mettre fanny in French)
To beat one's opponents 13 to 0. The figure of a bare-bottomed lass named Fanny is ubiquitous in Provence wherever pétanque is played. It is traditional that when a player loses 13 to 0 it is said that “il est fanny” (he's fanny) or “il a fait fanny” (he made fanny), and that he has to kiss the bottom of a girl called Fanny. Since there is rarely an obliging Fanny's fanny handy, there is usually a substitute picture, woodcarving or pottery so that Fanny’s bottom is available. More often, the team which made "fanny" has to offer a beverage to the winning team (see the French popular expression "Fanny paie à boire !").

To do the bec
Targeting one of your boule already in play and knocking it toward the jack.

Game on the Ground
Meaning one team is lying in a match-winning position while an end is still in progress and will win unless their opponents change the situation.