What is the origin of the term “hacer la pelota”?

In any organization or institution, it is common to find people who go out of their way to flatter their superiors, with the sole purpose of gaining an advantage through such behavior. It is also common for these people to be called “suck-ups” by their colleagues , and for their particular behavior to be known as “sucking up.”   

Thus, the term “hacer la pelota” and its derivatives are used in some Spanish-speaking countries to describe the act of persistently flattering someone in order to obtain favors or benefits. It is particularly curious that other phrases used to describe this type of behavior—which are said to have a completely different origin—are similar to the one mentioned above. For example, this is the case with the phrase “halar bolas” and its derivative “jalar bolas,” used in Colombia and Venezuela.

Currently, there are two theories regarding the origin of the expression “hacer la pelota,” which are outlined below.

The first theory is the most widely accepted, and it links the origin of the term to the French word *pelote*, a nickname given to pimps in late 18th-century France. Hence, prostitutes—who worked for a *pelote*—were known as *pelotas*. In fact, even today, the Royal Spanish Academy accepts the use of the word “pelota” as a colloquial term for a prostitute.

As a side note, it’s worth clarifying that the use of the word “pelota” as a synonym for “ball” or “pella” has a different origin. This term derives from the Latin word *pilotellus*, which is itself a diminutive of the word *pila*, meaning “ball.” Therefore, the claim that prostitutes are called “pelotas” because they are passed from hand to hand is unfounded.

Getting back to the topic at hand, the prostitutes of that era employed what we today recognize as a customer loyalty strategy. It consisted of lavishing excessive flattery on their clients, with the sole purpose of ensuring that they would return to seek their services. In this strategy, the clients’ qualities and virtues were so greatly exaggerated that it even took on comical overtones.   

Over the years, this strategy became known as “making balls,” since it was a common behavior among prostitutes, or “balls.” From there, the phrase came to be used to describe any behavior involving extreme flattery, with the aim of getting something in return.

The second theory attributes a less sordid origin to the phrase, linking it to 19th-century royalty, specifically the court of Ferdinand VII. At that time, billiards was one of the favorite pastimes among the gentlemen of that court, and it often happened that players of lower social rank would intentionally position the balls on the table in such a way that the higher-ranking player could easily make the shots.

In fact, this theory holds that, in particular, the nobles who played with King Ferdinand himself were called “pelotas” for the reason mentioned above. And given the sycophantic behavior that lower-ranking members of the court were naturally expected to exhibit, the term “hacer pelotas” came to refer to this way of acting.

Nowadays, the role of the pimp is clearly falling into disuse, as prostitutes are becoming independent workers. And now that the services they offer have diversified and become more sophisticated, they are known as escorts rather than pimps. And kings no longer play pool, nor do the courts display the sycophantic behavior of yesteryear. But without a doubt, something of that past is revived every time we use that term.

In short, whatever the actual origin of the term may be, the fact is that in Top Damas Barcelona , you don’t have to suck up to anyone to enjoy the perfect atmosphere for your night of wild sex in Barcelona. We offer rooms by the hour for sexin facilities where hygiene, safety, and discretion are of the highest order. Visit us with your partner or with luxury escorts in Barcelona, and enjoy pleasure at its finest.