Yo-Yos

The yo-yo is a toy consisting of two equally-sized discs of plastic, wood, or metal, connected with an axle, around which string is wound. more...

There is a slip knot at the free end of the string, and, on a properly strung yo-yo, an uncut loop around the axle end which allows it to spin freely, or "sleep" upon reaching the string's end.

It is played by tying the string's free end around the middle finger, grasping the yo-yo, and then throwing it downwards with a smooth motion. As the axle spins within the loop, a gyroscopic effect occurs, permitting time to perform a number of movements. By flicking the wrist, the yo-yo can be made to return to the player's hand, with the cord again completely wound into the groove. Any movement, or combination of movements, which result in the return of the yo-yo to the player's hand in this fashion is considered a trick.

Yo-yoing is a popular pastime around the world. Although generally associated with children, it is not uncommon for people who gain a level of proficiency at the sport in youth to continue playing into adulthood. A Yo-yo player is referred to as a Yo-yoer.

History of the yo-yo

There is evidence that the yo-yo is derived from a form intended for use as a weapon. The impact generated by a yo-yo can be rendered deadly with the addition of sharpened edges, although the difficulty of safely retrieving it would render such a device somewhat impractical. This weapon likely originated in the Philippines, where hunters in the 16th century used sharp rocks with strings attached to kill prey from trees. The development of the modern yo-yo began in the Philippines at around this time.

Read more at Wikipedia.org