WORLDWIDE: Sometimes we look for the answer to a question and find far more than we ever really wanted to know. That’s what happened when we tried to find why the game that we always called the “beanbag toss” became known as “cornhole.”

And we found the website for Cornhole Worldwide, which told us the sport is so popular it has been covered on ESPN.

”Legend has it that a fourteenth-century cabinet maker by the name of Mr. Matthias Kuepermann created the game after watching children toss rocks into a nearby groundhog’s hole. Kuepermann was said to have been so concerned for the safety of the children that he utilized his carpentry skills and designed a safer game for them to play.”

And where does the corn come into play? That’s what filled the bags, you see, because it was much safer than stones.

”Cornhole began its popularity in the midwestern states comprising mostly farmland because, you guessed it, more corn. However, the game cornhole emerged as a favorite pastime in Cincinnati about 15 years ago and soon spread like wildfire to backyard barbecues, beaches, breweries and campgrounds across the United States.

”Bars and pubs across the United States now host regular Cornhole tournaments. The favorite game has also seen significant usage in marketing and custom Cornhole boards are regularly used at weddings and family events. There are even Cornhole classes being taught across the country.”

As Cornhole Worldwide says, “The chances are very good that if you go to any backyard party or barbecue this year, you’ll likely find delicious food, tasty drinks and people playing Cornhole. This game has grown in popularity because of its portability, easy-to-understand rules, and … let’s be honest, you don’t have to be a star athlete to play a good game of Cornhole.”