Where does the term trump card come from?

The English word trump derives from trionfi, a type of 15th-century Italian playing cards, from the Latin triumphus “triumph, victory procession”, ultimately (via Etruscan) from Greek θρίαμβος, the term for a hymn to Dionysus sung in processions in his honour.

When did trump card become a phrase?

The idiom trump card came into use around the turn of the nineteenth century, but it is related to a card game played during the 1400s, trionfi, which was an Italian card game that included a fifth suit of cards that were trump. In card playing, a trump card overrides other suits of cards to take a trick.

What does the idiom trump card mean?

an advantage
Meaning of trump card in English an advantage that makes you more likely to succeed than other people, especially something that other people do not know about: Anthea was about to play her trump card – without her signature none of the money could be released. Advantage and disadvantage.

What card game uses the term trump?

triumph, also called trump, 16th-century card game ancestral to whist. In triomphe, the French variety known to English contemporaries as French ruff, each player received five cards, a trump was turned, and the aim was to win three or more tricks.

Is the left bower considered trump?

The left bower is considered a member of the trump suit and not a member of its native suit. The player who played the highest card of the suit led wins the trick, unless a trump is played; then the highest trump card wins the trick.

What does no Trumps mean?

Definition of no-trump : being a bid, contract, or hand suitable to play without any suit being trumps.

What is game in no-trump?

With the no Trumps card game, gameplay is simple yet interesting and always entertaining. The “reader” reads off two quotes from the selected card. The other players then have to guess which quote was actually said by Donald trump. The player with the fewest trump cards after ten rounds is declared the winner.

What is the meaning of a bitter pill?

Definition of bitter pill : an extreme vexation or humiliation especially : one constituting a punishment, retribution, or unavoidable expedient having to seek his foe’s aid was a bitter pill to take.

What is the meaning of all ears?

Eager to hear something, listening attentively, as in Tell me who else was invited? I’m all ears. [Colloquial; late 1700s] Also see all eyes.

Do you have to have trump in your hand to pick up?

“Trump” is always set/determined before play begins. “Trump” is either the card that is picked up or another suit that is called if the “kitty” card is turned over. “Trump” is the most powerful or highest cards in that particular round/hand. “Trump” beats anything, except a higher “trump” card.