Three of a kind

[shyted]

When you get three of a kind in a card game , why is it called a 'prile' ?

[xyzzy@bok]

Good question, it's prial, shyted; short for 'pair royal'. :-)

[Moog]

surely that would be a Proyal?

[shyted]

Thanks but still not convinced ... even if it was a Pair Royal , I don't see where the connection with three of a kind comes.

[Quizmonster]

It is, indeed, as Xyz says, spelt 'prial' and it does stand for 'pair royal'. This word/phrase has been used since the 16th century to mean three of a kind. It may be three playing-cards, three dice, all showing the same face up, or even a set of three particular people.

'Royal', as an adjective, always suggested something special or larger than life, as it were. Hence, a 'pair royal' was a very special twosome...ie a threesome!

In answer to Moog's point, 'rial' is a very old - 14th century - version of 'royal', so 'prial' makes perfect sense as a shortening of 'p(air)rial'.

[shyted]

Quizmaster go straight to the top of the class. Thanks very much and sorry for doubting xyzzy.

[Andromeda]

Ooh, thanks xyzzy and Quizmonster. Very useful for the next time I'm playing crash.