A “ball” was a medieval religious celebration held on special occasions such as the Feast of Fools at Easter.
The event was called a ball because the choirboys danced and sang in a ring while catching and returning a ball that was lobbed at them by a church leader, called the ring leader.
Although tossing balls during large circular dances became a common folk custom, the only ball at a dance today is the name.
We often say “Let’s have a ball” when we are looking for a good time.
