aerial ping pong

English

Etymology

A reference to the football going up and down the ground by long high kicks. (Reference: Australian National Dictionary Centre at the Australian National University).

Noun

aerial ping pong (uncountable)

1. (sometimes derogatory, sometimes humorous) Australian rules football.
   • 1965, Frank Hardy, The Yarns of Billy Borker, page 43:

     'Australian Rules draws bigger crowds in Melbourne than Rugby in Sydney.' 'What?' Sydney Sam would say, 'that's not football, mate, it's aerial ping-pong.'

Usage notes

Used by supporters of other football codes, usually being people from states of Australia where Australian rules is not the dominant code, usually people from New South Wales and Queensland where Rugby League and Rugby Union are the dominant football codes, (or, in the past, where it was not played at all). Fans of Australian rules do not use the term themselves.