DCHP-2

lob lob ball, lob-ball DCHP-2 (June 2016)

• 1 v. — especially Politics

  to ask a question, usually an easy one.

  Type: 5. Frequency — This meaning is likely derived from the physical meaning of the verb lob, meaning 'to throw (a ball) with a slow, underarm movement' or 'a slow, underarm throw'. The nature of lob ball questions and throws make them very easy to answer or hit. The term is used ten times as frequently in Canada as in the US (see Chart 1).

• 2 n. & adj. — especially Politics

  an easy question, usually asked expressly to make the respondent look capable and coherent.

  Type: 5. Frequency — See meaning 1.
  See also COD-2, s.v. "lob" (2), which is marked "Cdn".