Why is it called a Charlie Horse?

Question

I've asked numerous people and everyone knows what a Charlie Horse is...they just don't know why it's called that. Best Answer goes to the one with a reference.

Answer 1

The origin is hazy, though the earliest date of usage is know. Here it is:

"'Charley horse' (sometimes misspelled 'Charlie horse') is an American phrase and originated in the sport of baseball. The term is very much American and not in use in many other English-speaking countries. I've certainly never heard it use in the United Kingdom - here we are less imaginative and when we get cramp we call it just cramp. All the early citations of the phrase relate to baseball in some way or another. The earliest I can find is from The Fort Wayne Gazette, July 1887:

"Whatever ails a player this year they call it 'Charley horse'. 'Tom and Jerry horse' would fit many cases."

For the rest of the article, including several possible explanations of where the term came from, the link is below. A second and third list of possible explanations are also linked below.

Answer 2

I think it is cause it feels like a horse just hit you in the leg and the most common name is charlie? I dont know! Thats just what i think!

Answer 3

Here's another source for you: