Home UK English yarborough

Meaning of yarborough in English:

yarborough

Pronunciation /ˈjɑːb(ə)rə/

noun

  • (in bridge or whist) a hand with no card above a nine.

    ‘There are good yarboroughs and bad yarboroughs, based on the strength of the spots.’
    • ‘The term a 'yarborough' in bridge and whist came about because the Earl of Yarborough was fond of betting at odds of 1000:1 against this hand being dealt (A yarboruough meaning a hand of 13 cards none of which is higher than a 9).’

Origin

Early 20th century said to be named after an Earl of Yarborough, who bet 1000 to 1 against the occurrence of such a hand.