Terminology

Here’s a list of some slingshot terminology commonly used:

Tirador, Saltik, Catapult, Catty, Beanflip, Shanghai, Resorta, Flip, Ging, Tirachina, Schlueder, Fionda, Gomero-a are just few names for known for slingshots.
Prongs, forks, branches = the two structures that form the “V”
Throat, crotch, yoke = the opening between the “V”
Frame = the body of the slingshot
Anchor point = The spot usually around the cheek or corner of the mouth where the pouch lands when it’s pulled back.
Draw = the distance bands are pulled back to the anchor point
Lam or Laminate frame = Slingshot carved from a multilayered board
Traditional fork = any slingshot without a brace
PFS or Pickle Fork Shooter = a very shallow throated,small,thin slingshot
Tree Fork = a slingshot made from a “V” formed tree branch-Also called a natural fork
SB’S- Steel Balls Slingshot ammo of choice
BB’s = Small Round Ammo used for BB Guns and also as a load in a pouch
“A Load” = Shooting more then one pellet in a pouch
107’s– Pale crepe Rubber bands made by Alliance. Dimensions 5/8″ x 7″. Decent flatbands already cut. 107 is the size designation.
Tubes = tubular rubber
1745-2040-3060 – These are popular thin tube numerical designations.Different numbers correspond to different diameters. These are Dankung numbers.
Chinese tubes = thin tubes
Looped Chinese Tubes = No prong connection on this set-up. Tubes are one piece looped through a fork hole-then the ends are connected normally to pouch.Tubes can be added for more power and speed-just make bigger or more pouch holes for the ends
Flats, flatbands, straps = flat cut rubber
Cubes = quadrangular-square rubber
Chains,Ganged Bands = School or office type bands chained or looped all together and attached to the pouch. Very Powerful set-up.
Psuedo Tapers = A method of getting the benefit of tapering without the cutting of a taper. It involves the use of two different sizes of bands or tubes. Bigger or thicker band or tube up front,smaller attached to it a half or third of the way from the pouch tie.
Gauge = the thickness of flat rubber, the thickness of tube walls
Board cut = a slingshot cut from a board- note: can also be used to denote a slingshot cut from any other material not only wood-I.E ,Plastic slab-metal slab-fibreglass etc.
FlatNat = a natural tree fork planed down to a uniform thickness like a board cut slingshot
Bareback = using no slingshot at all to shoot. Holding the bands and pouch and drawing back and releasing using only the hand as the fork.
Beavertail = a flattened protrusion extending out from the handle covering the web of your hand (space between thumb and index finger ) used mostly on Hammer (Pistol grip)designs.Lessens wrist strain and adds protection from errant shots.
Ergo = a board cut slingshot shaped to fit the hand
Slingbow = A regular slingshot customized to shoot arrows
Flechette = small dart type projectiles used with a slings bow
Whisker Biscuit = a small round brushlike device to center/hold an arrow in the throat of a sling bow. Also helps keeping the feathers or fins of the arrow from getting damaged
Cant = the angle that the slingshot is held at. 45 degree, 90 degree, etc.
Finger braced = a gripping method where you brace the index finger and the thumb up against the forks for more support
Pistol grip = a grip where you don’t brace the fingers up against the forks
Hammer Grip = same as Pistol Grip
Gangsta Style = Horizontal frame hold, Parallel to ground
Over the top ( OTT ) = a band set-up that allows the bands to fly over the top of the forks
Knuckle Knock = sometimes the pouch on an over the top set-up comes back and slaps you in the knuckles
Through the fork (TTF) = a band set-up that allows the bands to go through the “V’ opening or throat
Speed Bump Effect = When the pouch is jerked by too hard of a grip or too much pressure on the pouch on one side upon release. Causing the ammo to jump like a car going over a speed bump. Many a fork hit is caused by this action. Also when holding the pouch horizontally with the thumb held pushing up rather then straight-creates a bump for the ball to go over.(thumb being the bump) Some people say twisting the pouch this way reduces fork hits especially shooting PFS style.
Chrony = a device that’s used to measure speed(usually in Feet per second)
Speed Shooting = loading and shooting as fast as you can put ammo on target. Term also used for shooting for high speeds over a Chrony
Snap Shooting = a super fast draw and release popular with hunters(for obvious reasons) and also shooting for high speeds over a Chrony
Hysterisis = A condition that happens with rubber when it’s stretched and held for too long causing a loss in velocity
F.P.S. = a velocity designation, Feet Per Second
Starship = slang term for a wrist-braced extended fork slingshot
Shuttle Craft = Any smaller standard wrist braced slingshot
Dry shot = shooting a pouch empty (DO NOT DO!!!)
Return To Sender (RTS) = A shot which is not released and comes back at the shooter.
Chinese Handcuff = a method for putting tubes on the forks(round metal) where the tips are moistened and the tubes are slipped on. When dry,the action of pulling back the sling tightens the tube-prong connection so they won’t come off
Pre-stressing = stretching the rubber before tying on to a pouch or a post. Reduces pouch curl on a pouch connection and makes a more secure attachment at the posts for a non-“Chinese” attachment
African Wrap = a method of attaching rubber to the posts where the rubber is run down the front of the posts to the base of the prongs. Leather strips or strong cord is wrapped all the way around and up until it reaches the tops of the posts. A very secure way but a long band is needed
Mummy wrap = another name for an African wrap or a wrap where a lot of material is used to secure the bands
Spanish or Spain Attachment = A method of attaching rubbers to the forks where by holes are drilled down into the posts,then small leather strips or strong nylon cords(both ends) are pressed down into the hole forming a small loop. Toothpicks or other wedging material is forced into the hole with the addition of a strong wood glue. The rubbers are attached to the loop when the glue is dry. Make sure the loop is securely anchored before shooting.
Gypsy Tabs = Leather or other suitable material attached to the prongs which bands are attached to. Makes them last longer-popular in some European countries.
Cupped pouch or dimpled pouch = a pouch that has a cup in the center for ammo placement
Double cupped pouch = a pouch that has a cup on each side of the pouch for ammo placement (also good for loads)
Pouch slap, band slap = the assembly slaps or hits the post when going through the throat.It also rubs a little on an over the top set-up but not as much.
Center punched = a hole right in the middle of the pouch for ammo placement
3 hole pouch = like a center punched pouch but the center hole is the same size as the band holes. It is a self centering type pouch
Ventilated pouch = a series of holes(5-10) punched in a pouch to reduce air drag and lessen weight
Wings = The ends of a flat strap assembly that come through the pouch hole after tying. Also same thing with a tube set tied in this fashion
Trough = when folding the band over itself and running it through the pouch hole-the resulting valley created by the fold in the band is this
Hole in Tube, Hole in Strap = the pouch connection on a tube assembly where a small hole is made close to the end of the tube. The tube is then feed through the pouch hole and into the tube hole making the attachment.Probably the most popular method of tube to pouch connection. Also was done in the past on flat strap assemblies (not as good on flats)
Flier = a wild shot, not going where intended
Group or grouping = a specified number of shots at a specific distance(shots are measured to see how close they are
Matchstick method or Slotted = A thin cut is made in the top of the post. The end of the rubber is folded over about 1 inch and stretched to fit in the slot.The addition of a matchstick in the loop or a rubber piece aids in securing it
Double slotted attachment = two thin cuts are made in the top of the post. Rubber is stretched to fit into the slot nearest the throat first,then stretched around to fit in the outer slot. The rubber is then pulled tight to seat up against the fork. A popular method used on older wooden slingshots(Wham-o, Lohman, Bullseye Etc.)
Catch box = a cardboard box or other material with an opening in the front and rags, old t-shirts, or towels hanging behind the opening to catch ammo shot at a hanging target in the front of the box
Straight set = A straight cut band assembly
Tapered bands or tapered tubes = Rubber cut with a wide end for the post and a narrow end for the pouch. Provides more speed then a straight cut
Gauge Taper = On sheet rubber sometimes the sheet is thicker on one end then the other.
Double Taper = On some flat rubber the rubber sheet itself is tapered(Gauge Taper). One end is thicker then the other. If bands are cut properly from this type sheet, you can get a double taper-thickness of the rubber plus the width. Thin and narrow end at pouch, thick and wide end at forks. A very fast high performing set of bands possible with this cut
Psuedo Taper = A tapering method used with tubes and flats where two different size tubes or flatbands are tied ( I.E.-soft cotton string-elasticized cotton covered braiding) together keeping the larger band or tube up at the prong and the smaller tube or flat at the back ( pouch connection ) an alternative way of making a tapered set-up without cutting.
A Shoot = A slingshot Tournament or a gathering of slingshot shooters
Flippers Draw, Albatross style, or Butterfly Draw = A drawing style. It is popular in the Czech Republic and also used by old timers down in the south U.S.A. The pouch is drawn up from the waist and at the same time the the frame holding hand is pushed out as far as possible, the pouch is drawn back well behind the normal anchor point. Aim is by feel and a lot of practice. A difficult style but great speeds are possible because of the extra long draw
Rotating Prongs = a movable or rotating attachment at posts,especially helpful with tubes.Helps them last longer and gives more speed
Palm Knob, Heel Knob, Palm Swell = a swell at the bottom of the handle of some slingshots (can also be a swell in the middle too). Aids in gripping and in security