Snooker or billiards? What came first?

Billiards came first. There is evidence of billiards-type games from as far back as the 1300s. The game as it's played today has been around since the end of the 18th century. When, on this date in 1875, a British colonel stationed in India suggested adding colored balls to a billiards game, snooker was born. "Snooker" was the term used for a first year army cadet, and became used for novices of the new game, and, eventually, for the game itself. The first professional world championship was played in 1927, with Joe Davis winning it and every other world snooker championship until 1946.