Countdown - the Channel 4 television show which has facilitated conversation between students and OAPs for decades - presumably decided to boost their online media presence in Ireland this afternoon by introducing UK viewers to an object of Irish obsession for generations: the sliotar.
During today's broadcast, Susie Dent beguiled Dictionary Corner as she usually does: by telling contestants of the words they could have formed from the letters on the board.
Following a customary rifle through the pages of the OED, Dent informed contestants that they could have scored a respectable seven points for something called a Slee-O-Tar. This is not some kind of monster of Nordic Legend, but is, in fact, the humble sliotar, as Rachel Reilly confirmed on the board. Watch below:
@ballsdotie The good old Sli-o-tar!! #countdown pic.twitter.com/s2TvMDKE5L
— Niall Burns (@nialljburns) June 22, 2016
It is the latest in the sliotar's cultural imperialism: a few months ago, the world was made aware of the ball which earned pride of place in Mike Tyson's trophy cabinet.
Thanks to Balls reader Niall Burns for alerting us to this one.
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