What is a yo-yo?
Q: What is a yo-yo?
A: A yo-yo is a toy made of a length of string tied at one end to a flat spool.
Q: How is the yo-yo used?
A: The yo-yo is used by holding the free end of the string and pulling it so as to cause the spool to turn while it is hanging in mid-air, either winding or unwinding the string.
Q: When did the yo-yo become popular?
A: The yo-yo first became popular in the 1920s.
Q: What is the simplest play with a yo-yo?
A: In the simplest play, the string is wound on the spool by hand. The yo-yo is then thrown downwards, so that it goes down and unwinds the string. It then (by inertia) climbs back, winding the string up, and is finally grabbed, ready to be thrown again.
Q: What is "walk the dog" on a yo-yo?
A: "Walk the dog" is one of the most famous tricks on the yo-yo. It is done by throwing a strong sleeper and allowing the yo-yo to roll across the floor.
Q: What are some historical names for the yo-yo?
A: English historical names for the yo-yo include bandalore and quiz. French historical terms include bandalore, incroyable, de Coblenz, emigrette, and joujou de Normandie (joujou meaning little toy).
Q: How many trick plays exist with a yo-yo?
A: Many other trick plays exist with a yo-yo, most based on the basic "sleeper" trick.
