E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Golden Ball (The).
Ball Hughes, one of the dandies in the days of the Regency. He paid some fabulous prices for his dressing cases (flourished 1820–1830). Ball married a Spanish dancer.
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He shirked a duel, and this probably popularised the pun Golden Ball, Leaden Ball, Hughes Ball.
