Definition & Meaning of "oddball"in English

What is the origin of the term "oddball" and how is it used?

"Oddball" is a slang term that appeared in English in the early 20th century, originally in American contexts, combining "odd" with "ball" to describe someone noticeably strange, unconventional, or out of step with normal social behavior. The word uses "odd" to signal unusualness and "ball" as a casual, playful suffix to refer to a person. It is used in informal, often humorous or neutral contexts, including conversation, media, and writing, to comment on eccentricity or unusual behavior. The term is mildly derogatory in some cases but often lighthearted; its offensiveness depends on tone and context.