how did the term "square" come to be?

mclosin · Nov 10, 2010

in poker they have donkeys, fish. i figure it comes from a square being a simple shape, but think they could have coined a better term.

Betallsports · Nov 10, 2010

a Square doesn't Think outside of the Box.

Betallsports · Nov 10, 2010

In the sports gambling world, "square" refers to an unsophisticated bettor, who will generally lose money over the course of the season.

steaktartar · Nov 10, 2010

in sports betting two different shapes a square and an egg mean the same thing

BadCo · Nov 10, 2010

Gimme the favorite for a nickle.

Gimme the over for a nickle.

Parlay the favorite to the over for two dollars.

mclosin · Nov 10, 2010

i know what it means persay, but i was more wondering if someone in particular said it and it stuck, something like that.

mclosin · Nov 10, 2010

BadCo said:
Gimme the favorite for a nickle.

Gimme the over for a nickle.

Parlay the favorite to the over for two dollars.

funny story i know a bookie who had a guy call in a bet for 2000 (which was ridiculously high compared to what he usually bet) and then also call in a bet for a 2 team parlay for 40 bucks in the same call.

Betallsports · Nov 10, 2010

mclosin said:
i know what it means persay, but i was more wondering if someone in particular said it and it stuck, something like that.

Well it wasn't Me.... I called my first Square I met a Loser !
Don't think if i called him a square, he would have understood me.

HAT · Nov 10, 2010

I'd imagine the gambling version is just an offshoot of the normal slang definition. Specifically....'Mainstream'. (Subscribes to conventional wisdom and/or groupthink & bets accordingly.)

(1) Unexciting, unadventurous, mainstream or dull. Generally used in describing a person with such attributes or who plays it safe.

(2) Someone out of date or out of touch, can also be someone who clings to repressive, traditional, stereotypical, one-sided, or "in the box" ways of thinking.

Historically, derived from a person whose goal in life is to have three "squares" a day.

JudgeWapner · Nov 10, 2010

Which I believe came from the world of jazz. Used to refer to people who didn't get the mucic.

soonerdawg1 · Nov 10, 2010

seems like it came about when i entered the world......

no, wait a minute....momma said the doctor told her there's a sucker born every minute when i showed up.....