What is the origin of the term 'southpaw'?

Answer by  superman21 (48)

Back in the day all baseball fields were built so that the home plate was facing the east. Now this ment that the pitcher was facing west and if he was pitching with his left hand that was the hand facing the south side, hence he was using his "southpaw."

Answer by  ilango (226)

Actually in united states, terms of sports left hander is calles as southpaw.In generaly those who used the left hand for all type of primary works is also called southpaw.In boxing, somebody used left hand for good punches to opponenet is also called. In any way, origin of the southpaw is nothing but left hander.

Answer by  traumatised (3285)

Most people agree that the term originated out of baseball in the nineteenth century. Most parks were (often still are) oriented towards the east to stop batters from having the afternoon/evening sun in their eyes during games. As a result, left-handed pitchers throw balls with their "south side" arm, since that's the way it would be facing.