southpaw

English

WOTD – 30 September 2006

Alternative forms

Etymology

From south +‎ paw. First attested in 1813.[1] Originating from 19th-century ballparks often oriented with the batter facing east to avoid the afternoon sun, placing a left-handed pitcher's arm on the south side. However, earlier usage suggests it may stem from 1840s boxing slang for a left-handed punch.[2]

For Baseball:

  • Early 19th-century ballparks were often built with home plate on the west side and the pitcher's mound on the east to prevent the sun from being in the batter's eyes. Consequently, a left-handed pitcher's arm would be facing the southern side of the diamond.[3]

For Boxing:

  • Evidence suggests the term existed before baseball, being used in the 1840s to describe a left-handed punch or "paw" in boxing. A 1848 political cartoon described a "south paw" blow in this context.[4]

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /ˈsaʊθˌpɔː/
  • (cot–caught merger) IPA(key): /ˈsaʊθˌpɑ/
  • Audio (US):(file)
  • Audio (General Australian):(file)
  • Rhymes: -aʊθpɔː, -aʊθpɑ

Noun

southpaw (plural southpaws)

  1. (informal) One who is left-handed, especially in sports.
    • 1943, United States Army, A short guide to Syria:
      Never touch the food until your host has said grace ("Bismillah") and then not till he has told you to. Eat only with your right hand—it is considered very rude to use the left, even if you are a southpaw.
    Synonyms: left-hander, lefty
    Antonyms: northpaw, right-hander
    1. (baseball) A left-handed pitcher.
      Since home plate is generally in the southwest corner to avoid glare in the batter's eyes, a southpaw's pitching hand is to the south.
      • 1920, F. Scott Fitzgerald, This Side of Paradise/Book Two/Chapter 5, Book Two/Chapter 5:
        Eleanor would pitch, probably southpaw. Rosalind was outfield, wonderful hitter, Clara first base, maybe.
    2. A boxer who leads with the right hand and guards with the left.

Translations

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Translations to be checked

References

  1. ^ https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/644262/why-are-left-handed-people-called-southpaws
  2. ^ https://www.mlb.com/glossary/idioms/southpaw#:~:text=Definition,More%20from%20Idioms
  3. ^ https://leftyfretz.com/why-is-a-left-handed-person-called-a-southpaw/#:~:text=Southpaw%20Origin%20In%20Baseball,Just%20for%20fun%E2%80%A6
  4. ^ https://leftyfretz.com/why-is-a-left-handed-person-called-a-southpaw/#:~:text=Southpaw%20Origin%20In%20Baseball,Just%20for%20fun%E2%80%A6

Further reading

  • “southpaw”, in OneLook Dictionary Search.
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