Just heard (or misheard?) an American political commentator say that "If B finishes first and C second in Iowa, that really royals it for A "
What does 'to royal' mean? Where's it from?

Since you "heard" rather than "read" it, isn't it possible that the word used was roils it? meaning: to stir up, muddy, cause to become less clear, etc?

Thanks, Frank. I read this yesterday, and had no idea as to what the word meant.

From MW -



Main Entry:
roil :
\ˈrȯi(-ə)l, vt 2 is also ˈrī(-ə)l\
Function:
verb
Etymology:
origin unknown
Date:
1590

transitive verb1 a: to make turbid by stirring up the sediment or dregs of b: to stir up : disturb disorder 2: rile 1intransitive verb: to move turbulently : be in a state of turbulence or agitation

'Roil'? Thanks, that's what it was. The Oxford Dictionary notes this word as " U.S. and dialect". It's one to add to the list of old English words used in America but long forgotten in England (another is 'redound' ).