southpaw etymology

Etymology

The term "southpaw" is derived from the following elements:

  • South: Referring to the direction in which a left-handed batter faces when at bat in baseball.
  • Paw: A slang term for a hand or foot, with "paw" being a common term for a left hand in the early 19th century.

Meaning

A southpaw is a person, typically in the context of sports, who is left-handed. The term is commonly used in baseball, where left-handed batters are referred to as southpaws.

Origin

The term "southpaw" originated in the mid-19th century in the United States. It is believed that the term was first used in the context of baseball, where left-handed batters stood on the south side of the playing field, facing the north.

The term became more widely used in the late 19th century, particularly in sports journalism and slang. By the early 20th century, "southpaw" was a commonly recognized term for a left-handed person.

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