Question #17944. Asked by Socrates.
Last updated Sep 03 2021.
Gnomon
Answer has 2 votes
Gnomon 24 year member
1331 replies
Answer has 2 votes.
The 14th century dice game Hazard had a combination 1+1 which had the nickname 'Crabs'. I don't know why. This became corrupted into 'Craps' and the name was then applied to similar combinations in the new dice game.
Response last updated by gtho4 on Sep 03 2021.
Apr 05 2002, 7:38 AM
fpgjc
Answer has 3 votes
fpgjc
Answer has 3 votes.
"There are several takes on the true craps history. To help you better understand and play online craps, we detail two takes on craps history below.
The first take on craps history - According to Richard Epstein, craps is descended from an earlier game known as Hazard, that dates to the Middle Ages. The formal rules for Hazard were established by Montmort early in the 1700s. The origin of the name craps is shrouded in doubt, but it may have come from the English crabs, or from the French Crapeaud (for toad).
There is also evidence that a form of craps can be dated back to the time of the Holy Roman Empire. Soldiers in the Roman Legions used to shave down pig knuckles into the shapes of cubes, and toss them onto their inverted shields as a form of entertainment while in camp. Hence we get the term 'to roll the bones'."
Response last updated by gtho4 on Sep 03 2021.
Apr 05 2002, 10:31 AM
Terry
Answer has 6 votes
Currently Best Answer
Terry Moderator 25 year member
333 replies
Answer has 6 votes.
Currently voted the best answer.
Most obvious answer seems to be from its original French name, "crapaud".
"The game, first known as crapaud (a French word meaning "toad" in reference to the original style of play by people crouched over a floor or sidewalk), reportedly owes its modern popularity to street craps.[2] Street craps may be played by rolling the dice against a backstop, such as a curb or stair-stoop, or without a backstop, at the choice of the players."