While I was reading about why the 'nosebleed' seats are called such a preposterous name at the ballpark, my curiosity was piqued in reference to another ballpark term that has troubled me over the years. The bench-like cheap seats have always been referred to as "bleachers". I have wondered why my whole life and have asked no less than 3 wise men / gurus, but to no avail. Won't you all please resolve this issue for me and my linguistically starved children?
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2 Answers
The bleachers were so named because the boards were bleached by the sun.
The "bench for spectators at a sports field" sense (usually bleachers) is attested since 1889, American English; so named because the boards were bleached by the sun.
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Look. My wife and I did your 'Grand Circle' tour in 2012, and it rained! It's not just a British thing. (OK, I admit it only rained for 30 seconds out of 14 days.) Feb 11, 2014 at 20:40
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choster, the sun turns up even in the UK. It's just the word bleachers that does not. Feb 11, 2014 at 22:49
NRS does a good job explaining why are bleachers called bleachers: https://www.bleachers.net/why-are-bleachers-called-bleachers
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6Sorry, a link is useless: please quote the relevant portion. And in this case, the relevant portion says nothing more than the existing answer.– Andrew Leach ♦Sep 4, 2019 at 17:41
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1Your reference is pretty good. Please edit your reply to copy a few of the most relevant lines from it. Sep 4, 2019 at 19:54