Dirty pool is an idiom that came into use in the mid-twentieth century. We will examine the meaning of the expression dirty pool, where it came from, and some examples of its use in sentences.
Dirty pool describes actions that are underhanded, not fair, dishonest, taking an unfair advantage through devious means. The idiom dirty pool is often used in politics to mean smearing or slurring the reputation of an opponent. The word pool, in this case, refers to the game of pool, which involves striking balls with a cue on a felted table. The origin of the idiom dirty pool is somewhat in question, with some attributing it to Herman Wouk’s novel The Caine Mutiny published in 1951: “I played pretty dirty pool, you know, in court.” However, the idiom has been found in documents dating back as far as 1918, and may go back a bit farther. Pool is a game that has been played since around the turn of the twentieth century, evolved from billiards.
Examples
CNN’s Chris Cuomo called this “dirty pool” as yesterday was the eve of Good Friday and Passover. (The National REview)
Some say his bringing clinical language into his battle tweets may be dirty pool, even if the listed traits of the disorder may sound remarkably accurate. (The Chicago Tribune)“So that smacks to me as a little dirty pool on the part of the Democrats.” (The Tampa Bay Times)
It’s dirty pool that hides what the Legislature is up to and makes it harder for the public to keep track of its own government. (The Tulsa World)
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