McWriters

Since recently joining a gym and jumping back into the healthy routine of working out, I thought looking up and sharing the etymology of the phrase “Charlie Horse” would be interesting.

A charlie horse is usually a reference for a cramp or pulled muscle. Its origins have been traced to being a baseball term, or at least it seems to have gained widespread use in baseball initially. The reference is really a mystery.

The earliest documented use in print for the term is found in the Boston Globe on July 17th 1886:

Several years ago, says the Chicago Tribune, Joe Quest, now of the Athletics, gave the name of “Charlie horse” to a peculiar contraction and hardening of the muscles and tendons of the thigh, to which base ball players are especially liable from the sudden starting and stopping in chasing balls, as well as the frequent slides in base running. Pfetlor, Anson and Kelly are so badly troubled with “Charley horse” there are times they can scarcely walk. Gore had it so bad he had to lay off a few days, and is not entirely free from it now. Williamson, too, has had a touch of it.

So, it’s completely unknown as to who “Charlie” may have been and why his “horse” may have been involved in creating cramped muscles. I suppose you should let your imagination run wild as to how Charlie’s horse came to be the instigator of this fine and interesting phrase.

As for me, I’m hoping that my cramped muscles will shape up soon…it’s been a long time since I went to the gym regularly!