Beer pong used to be called “Beirut” in its original form at Dartmouth College. The game gained popularity on campus in the 1950s and 1960s, and the students there referred to it as Beirut. The origins of the name are not entirely clear, but it is believed to have been named after the Lebanese capital city, Beirut.
The game of Beirut involved throwing a ping pong ball across a table with the intent of landing it in one of several cups of beer on the other end. The objective was to eliminate all of the opposing team's cups before they could do the same to yours. It was a social and competitive game that brought people together and added an element of fun to parties and gatherings.
As the game started to gain popularity beyond the borders of Dartmouth College and spread to other parts of the United States, the name “Beirut” began to fade away. People in different regions, who were unfamiliar with the Dartmouth version and its origins, started to refer to the game as “beer pong” instead. The name “beer pong” more accurately described the nature of the game, as players were throwing ping pong balls into cups of beer.
The transition from Beirut to beer pong is an interesting example of how a game can evolve and change as it spreads to different communities. It also highlights the influence of regional variations and the importance of understanding the cultural context in which a game is played.
Personally, as someone who has enjoyed playing beer pong with friends, I have always known it by that name. I was unaware of its earlier moniker until I delved into its history. It is fascinating to learn about the roots of popular games and how they have transformed over time.
Beer pong used to be called Beirut in its original form at Dartmouth College. However, as the game spread to different parts of the United States, the name Beirut was dropped, and it became commonly known as beer pong instead. The transition in name reflects the game's evolution and adaptation to different communities and cultural contexts.