What does southpaw mean?
A southpaw is, most commonly, a baseball player who throws with the left hand. The term is especially associated with pitchers, although it can describe any baseball player whose principal throwing hand is the left. As an adjective, southpaw means left-handed and is used chiefly in sporting contexts. It has a familiar, traditional sound within baseball and is often treated as a distinctive type of player rather than simply a technical designation. Southpaws may face particular advantages or disadvantages depending on the dimensions of a ballpark and the direction of play, but the word itself is primarily a label for handedness. Outside sports, the term is uncommon, and left-handed is generally the more neutral and widely understood description.
A baseball player who throws with the left hand, especially a pitcher.
"The opposing southpaw retired twelve batters on strikeouts."
Usually used in baseball or other North American sports; it is informal but firmly established.
Left-handed, especially in reference to a baseball player.
"The southpaw batter worked a count of three balls and two strikes."
Chiefly used in baseball and other sporting contexts.
The regular plural is used when referring to multiple players or people who throw with the left hand.
"Several southpaws appeared in the league's annual prospect rankings."
In baseball, a southpaw is a left-handed player, and the nickname is one of the sport’s most familiar positional labels.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does southpaw come from?
The word emerged in nineteenth-century American English, particularly in baseball usage. Its precise origin is uncertain, and the “south” element is not known with certainty to have a single established derivation. The term survives as a traditional baseball label for a left-handed player.
How southpaw is actually used
Southpaw is primarily used in baseball and other North American sporting contexts. It is informal and familiar rather than technical; in general use, left-handed or left-hander is usually more neutral.
Easily confused with southpaw
A southpaw throws with the left hand, whereas a switch hitter can bat with either hand.