Word Origin & History
hockey
after an isolated reference from Ireland dated 1527 ("The horlinge of the litill balle with hockie stickes or staves ..."), the word is next recorded 1838 from W. Sussex; of unknown origin, perhaps related to M.Fr. hoquet "shepherd's staff, crook," dim. of O.Fr. hoc "hook." The hooked clubs with which the game is played resemble shepherds' staves. In N.Amer., ice hockey is distinguished from field hockey.
[hok-ee] 
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