kerby

See also: Kerby

English

Alternative forms

• kerbsy

Etymology

From kerb +‎ -y.

Pronunciation

• (General American) IPA^(key): /kɝbi/
• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /kɜːbi/
• Rhymes: -ɜː(ɹ)bi
• Homophones: curby, kirby

Noun

kerby (uncountable)

1. (British English) A children's ball game played in the street, the aim being to throw the ball against the opposite kerb and catch it on the rebound.
   • 2011, Adrian McKinty, Dead I Well May Be, page 133:

     It's dusk and there are a lot of kids out playing kerby and tag and football. For a December night, the weather isn't bad.

   • 2014, Simon Danczuk, Matt Baker, Smile for the Camera: The Double Life of Cyril Smith:

     I'd play kerby in the street for hours looking up at contrails stretching across grey slate skies, wishing I was on a plane too, jetting away to somewhere else.

   • 2014, Samantha Nash, All Muck and Mullets, page 43:

     The heat from the tarmac refracted the light and disturbed the vision of the children as they persisted in their game of kerby.