Why is a left handed sportsman called southpaw ?

Answer 1

A left-handed individual may be known as a southpaw, particularly within sports in the United States. It is widely accepted that the term originates in baseball[12]. Ballparks are often designed so that the batter is facing east, in order that the afternoon or evening sun does not shine in his eyes. This means that left-handed pitchers are throwing from the south side. The first use of the term is credited to Finley Peter Dunne. However, the Oxford English Dictionary lists a non-baseball citation for "south paw", meaning a punch with the left hand, as early as 1848[13], just three years after the first organized baseball game.

In boxing (not just in the United States) someone who boxes left-handed is usually referred to as southpaw. They are often considered trickier opponents than the more common right-hander. The term is also used to refer to a stance in which the boxer places his right foot in front of his left. (In the film Rocky, Rocky Balboa says the term came from a boxer named Paul, whose left arm always faced south to New Jersey.)))

Answer 2

I found this on wikipedia.

A left-handed individual may be known as a southpaw, particularly within sports in the United States. It is widely accepted that the term originates in baseball[12]. Ballparks are often designed so that the batter is facing east, in order that the afternoon or evening sun does not shine in his eyes. This means that left-handed pitchers are throwing from the south side. The first use of the term is credited to Finley Peter Dunne. However, the Oxford English Dictionary lists a non-baseball citation for "south paw", meaning a punch with the left hand, as early as 1848[13], just three years after the first organized baseball game.

In boxing (not just in the United States) someone who boxes left-handed is usually referred to as southpaw. They are often considered trickier opponents than the more common right-hander. The term is also used to refer to a stance in which the boxer places his right foot in front of his left. (In the film Rocky, Rocky Balboa says the term came from a boxer named Paul, whose left arm always faced south to New Jersey.)

Answer 3

I always thought it was related to all the sinister meanings associated with being a leftie, as in to do with the devil and evil and all that stuff.
As in i thought of "south" as in DOWN, as in down toward hell....
but...


I just read this on wikipedia:
A left-handed individual may be known as a southpaw, particularly within sports in the United States. It is widely accepted that the term originates in baseball[12]. Ballparks are often designed so that the batter is facing east, in order that the afternoon or evening sun does not shine in his eyes. This means that left-handed pitchers are throwing from the south side. The first use of the term is credited to Finley Peter Dunne. However, the Oxford English Dictionary lists a non-baseball citation for "south paw", meaning a punch with the left hand, as early as 1848[13], just three years after the first organized baseball game.

In boxing (not just in the United States) someone who boxes left-handed is usually referred to as southpaw. They are often considered trickier opponents than the more common right-hander. The term is also used to refer to a stance in which the boxer places his right foot in front of his left. (In the film Rocky, Rocky Balboa says the term came from a boxer named Paul, whose left arm always faced south to New Jersey.)

So I learned something new about left-handedness....
thanks...

Answer 4

a left handed person is called a southpaw, not only a sportsman

paw is a kind of slang for hand, as an animal has paws rather than hand
South is the opposite of north as right is the opposite of left

I don't know the exact derivation but it seems to follow, southpaw = left hand(ed)

Answer 5

Watch the movie Rocky and you will get the answer. It has to do with a left-handed boxer from a long time ago. Rocky tells Adrian the story during the ice skating scene.

Answer 6

Because there used to be a pitcher from New Jersey named Paul ( i can't remember his last name) but when he pitched he faced south, so the name south paul "paw" came popular.

Answer 7

Sorry, I don't have even heard of southpaw.

Answer 8

abe band akal same question do do baar kyu poochha!

Answer 9

Thanks for letting me know exact answer through your good question.

Answer 10

what