Last update: December 2025
In this Cornhole glossary you’ll find a complete list of terms, jargon and expressions used in the Cornhole world. Many terms come from the United States and are used internationally in English, including at tournaments in Europe.
Use this page as a reference alongside our other guides:
Glossary A–Z
- Ace
- A bag that lands on the board and stays there. Scores 1 point. Also called a woody or cow pie. See also Woody and Cow Pie. You’ll find an explanation of all points at Cornhole scoring.
- Air Mail
- A throw where the bag falls straight into the hole without touching the board. A very spectacular throw, often used when there are blockers in front of the hole. Read more about throwing technique at Cornhole technique.
- Back Door
- Bag that still falls into the hole by bouncing or sliding behind it, for example over a blocker. A clever combination of luck and skill.
- Backstop
- Bag lying just behind the hole on the board, acting as a “bumper”. Other bags can slide into it without falling off the board. Useful for sliders and push bags.
- Blocker
- Bag that lies in front of the hole and blocks the route to the hole. Forces the opponent to throw air mail or hook shots. An important part of defensive Cornhole strategy.
- Candycorn
- Bag that is thrown too short and doesn’t hit the board. Same idea as a Sally or Corn Patty: an underpowered throw.
- Cornfusion
- Situation where teams disagree about the score of a frame. Resolved by recounting or asking an official / “police”. Accurate scoring is crucial with cancellation scoring.
- Cornhole
- Bag that ends up in the hole. Scores 3 points. Learn more about the game itself at What is Cornhole?.
- Corn Patty
- Bag that is thrown too short and doesn’t reach the board. Comparable to Candycorn or Sally.
- Cornzizzle
- When one player throws all 4 of their bags into the hole in a single frame. Also called a Four Bagger, Double Deuce or Gusher.
- Cow Pie
- Bag that stays on the board and therefore scores 1 point. Synonym of Ace and Woody.
- Dirty Bag
- Bag that first hits the ground and then rolls onto the board, or a bag that hangs partly on the board but touches the ground. Does not count for the score. See also Cornhole rules.
- Dirty Roll Up
- Variation on a Dirty Bag: the bag lands in the grass or on the ground and then rolls onto the board. No points.
- Double Deuce
- Four bags from the same player in the hole in one frame. Also known as a Four Bagger, Gusher or Cornzizzle.
- Double Stack
- Backyard trick where two bags are placed on top of each other and thrown together. Not allowed in official matches.
- Drain-O
- Synonym for Air Mail: bag goes directly into the hole without touching the board.
- Faultn’
- Foot fault: the player steps past the front of the board or the throwing line during the throw. The throw is invalid under the official Cornhole rules.
- Fling
- Throw where the bag is held by one corner between thumb and index finger and thrown with a wrist motion. More of a fun style than a top-tournament technique.
- Flop
- Bag that flies through the air without spin and often lands unpredictably. Can be favorable or unfavorable, depending on board and bag type.
- Four Bagger
- Four bags in the hole in one frame by the same player. Also called a Gusher, Cornzizzle or Double Deuce.
- Frisbee
- Throw where the bag travels horizontally through the air with spin like a frisbee. Can help the bag land “sticky”.
- Glory Hole
- Informal name for a perfect Air Mail or Swish: bag straight into the hole.
- Granny
- Throw between the legs with both hands, like a “granny shot” in bowling. Fun for casual games.
- Gusher
- Four bags in the hole in one frame by one player. Synonym for Four Bagger, Cornzizzle and Double Deuce.
- Hammer
- The last bag thrown in a frame. Often the most important throw for strategy and scoring pressure. See Cornhole strategy.
- Hanger
- Bag that is hanging halfway in the hole but has not fully dropped yet. It does not yet count as 3 points unless it later falls in.
- Honors
- The team that scored the previous frame has “honors” and may throw first in the next frame. Standard in official tournaments. See Cornhole tournaments.
- Hooker
- Bag that curves around other bags and still ends up in the hole. Often a combination of technique and luck.
- Jumper
- Bag that hits another bag and makes it “jump” into the hole. A typical push bag effect.
- Jump Shot
- Throw where the player jumps and “shoots” the bag at the hole like a basketball jump shot. More for fun than official play, but enjoyable in backyard games.
- Knuckleballer
- Bag is thrown without spin, causing it to travel unstably through the air. Comparable to a knuckleball in baseball.
- Light ’em Up
- Expression used to turn on the Cornhole LED lighting for evening play.
- Lipper
- Bag that is partly in the hole, on the edge (“lip”) of the hole. With a tap or a push bag it can still fall in.
- Make Them Glow
- Another expression used to indicate that the Cornhole lights should be turned on.
- Police
- Humorous term for referees, officials or scorekeepers during tournaments.
- Push Bag
- Bag that pushes other bags on the board forward toward the hole. An important tactical throw, especially when you’ve previously placed bags in front of or near the hole.
- Rim Job
- Bag looks like it will go into the hole, hits the rim and bounces back onto the board or onto the ground. No points if it falls off.
- Sally
- Throw with too little power; the bag doesn’t reach the board. Just like a Candycorn and a Corn Patty.
- Shucked
- Term for a heavy defeat, for example 13–0, on top of any Skunk rule.
- Shucker
- Bag that knocks another bag off the board. This can be either beneficial (opponent’s bag) or detrimental (your own bag).
- Skunk
- Rule where a match ends early if a team leads for example 11–0 or 15–0. Often used in tournaments. See also Cornhole tournaments.
- Sky Bag
- Bag that is thrown way too high and ends up behind or far beyond the board.
- Slick Woody
- Bag that lands low on the board and, thanks to its speed and the smoothness of the board, slides nicely into the hole. A perfect Slider.
- Slider
- Throw where the bag lands on the board and slides into the hole. One of the most important basic throws, explained at Cornhole technique.
- Stanker
- Informal term for a failed throw: too short, off the board, or in an unfavorable spot.
- Swish
- Another word for a perfect Air Mail; bag goes directly into the hole without touching the board.
- Weak Sauce
- Term for a very weak throw, usually when the bag ends well in front of the board. Comparable to a Sally.
- White Wash
- Complete “blowout”: the winning team reaches, for example, 11 points while the opponent stays at 0. Clearly a one-sided match.
- Woody
- Bag that ends up on the board and stays there at the end of the frame. Scores 1 point. Basis of the Cornhole scoring system.
FAQ – Cornhole terms & jargon
Why are most Cornhole terms in English?
Cornhole originated in the United States and almost all official organizations (such as ACL) use English terms. These are also adopted in Europe and the Netherlands so everyone speaks the same language during tournaments and matches.
Do I need to know all these terms to play Cornhole?
No. To start, you only need the basic Cornhole rules, distances and scoring. This glossary is mainly useful if you play more often, take part in tournaments or follow professional matches.
Which terms are most important for beginners?
For new players, these terms are especially useful: Cornhole, Woody, Air Mail, Slider, Blocker and the basics of cancellation scoring.
Can I use my own “house rules” and terms?
Absolutely. Many groups use their own variants and nicknames. Just make sure you agree in advance which rules apply, especially around scoring and Skunk rules.
