Now agree with Mike (#6 & 9)it\'s got to be SIDE! Didn\'t like the answer FIVE I gave in Post # 3 ~ not cryptic!
Having just seen Mike\'s post saying \'English\' is a term for putting \'side\' on a snooker ball have confirmed this by checking in OED ~ according to definition it\'s a term used in USA (also Canada & Australia) for such a stroke! And as previously said we do/did refer to TV channel as \'side\' (What\'s on the other side? etc.) I reckon SIDE it must be.
Thanks for the info above.