2006-12-01 06:17:45 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Cultures & Groups ➔ Other - Cultures & Groups
the origin of the word is certainly related to baseball, but one reliable source notes that southpaw was coined in Chicago, where the ballpark faced east and west, with home plate to the west, so that a left-handed pitcher threw from the south side -- hence, left-handed pitchers became known as southpaws. This same source notes that the term was coined by Finley Peter Dunne, who covered sports for the Chi cago News, as early as 1887. Mr. Dunne went on to become a renowned political humorist.
2006-12-01 06:37:11 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No one knows for sure there is an equally valid story as the baseball tale, it relates to boxing and the original Madison Square Garden. A left handed fighter I don't recall who was supposed to have won the middle weight championship, the first for a lefty. When he came out of his corner he was facing west toward Jersey and his dominate hand was his left hand which would have been south. When he knocked his opponent out the annoucer said he used that big south paw.
2006-12-01 14:49:11 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
"It is widely accepted that the term originates in baseball. 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."
2006-12-01 14:20:52 · answer #3 · answered by Pico 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Because "down under" even the toilette water drains backwards, and a lefty fighter is opposite a righty opponent. So they are southies.
2006-12-01 14:24:32 · answer #4 · answered by woodrow o 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
pico is right.
2006-12-01 14:21:25 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋