Oddball

Origin of: Oddball

Oddball

An oddball is a strange or eccentric person. Oddball can also be used as an adjective to describe something that is unconventional or non-standard, such as 'oddball technology' or an 'oddball design'. Oddball appears to be of American origin, first making its appearance around 1945. Its derivation is obscure, particularly the second syllable 'ball'. Odd, of course, is a well-known word for strange or unusual, but can also mean 'non-standard' as in an an 'odd lot’, in the same way as ‘odd bin’ can mean a non-standard collection of wine. This latter usage dates from the mid-18th century. See also Odd/odds and evens.