why is a left hander also referred to as a southpaw?

Answer 1

Facing the sun.......your throwing from the south

Answer 2

A left-handed individual may be known as a southpaw, particularly in a sports context. It is widely accepted that the term originated in the United States, in the game of baseball[14]. Ballparks are often designed so that the batter is facing east, in order that the afternoon or evening sun does not shine in his/her 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[15], just three years after the first organized baseball game.

In boxing, someone who boxes left-handed is frequently referred to as southpaw. The term is also used to refer to a stance in which the boxer places his right foot in front of his left, so it is possible for a right-handed boxer to box with a southpaw stance. Most boxers, southpaw or otherwise, tend to train with sparring partners who adopt a right-handed stance, which gives southpaws an advantage.

Answer 3

Its a baseball thing. Old ballparks were built so that the hitter faced east (away from the evening sun). Lefty pitcher's throwing arms were on the south side of the mound... Southpaw.

Answer 4

hmmm...all i konw is this....my grandpa was an aussie champion boxer and he was known as a southpaw cos he lead with his left hand first... In golf however..i havent heard of southpaws...just lefties. The other answers may provide more info but i just couldnt help myself...lol....just wanted to bignote about my grandpa... No offence intended.

Answer 5

"South" used to be an adjective and adverb meaning "inferior." The only use of it we still have is in the expression "going South": our finances are going South = our finances are going badly.

So a "South paw" was a person who used the "inferior hand." It's an Americanism, and during the Witch Trials, left-handedness was yet another sign of being in alliance with Satan (others being the possession of a cat, red hair, a mole in your face or back, etc.).

The persecution of left-handers still goes strong in many parts of the world.

Answer 6

becuase most left handers like that name.

Answer 7

great quesiton....my history teacher once said it was cause when english explorers came over on boat the south was to their left...but i honestly dont know to believe that or not...up to you

Answer 8

another baseball question in the golf section.

Answer 9

Whoa! I'm a lefty in golf, & people never say that!!!!

Answer 10

Why not?