Dinger

Dinger is a term used in baseball slang to refer to a home run. The term is used in the United States and other English-speaking countries and in softball and youth baseball as well. A dinger is typically used to describe a hit that clears the outfield fence, scoring at least one run.

Origin and usage: The exact origin of the term is uncertain. It likely arose in American baseball in the 20th century and entered mainstream usage through sports journalism, broadcasters, and fans. As slang, it is neutral or affectionate and may appear in headlines, commentary, or social media.

Other uses: Dinger is also a surname of German origin. As a family name, it appears in historical records in German-speaking regions and reflects migration to other countries. In some contexts, "Dinger" can function as a nickname for someone who hits home runs or for a person nicknamed for a distinctive "ding" sound or impact, though this usage is informal.

In popular culture: The term occasionally appears in sports-related media, fan forums, and casual speech. It does not designate a specific person, organization, or fictional work unless tied to the baseball sense of a home run.