Charley horse
American colloquial term for muscle cramp
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Charley horse is a non specific term, typically used to refer to a muscle cramp, stiffness, or contusion.[3][4] Generally it is used for the thigh, calf, or foot,[5] or more rarely, the arm.[6] The term may be used interchangeably with dead leg or thigh contusion, referring to an injury caused by a physical blow to the leg or thigh.[7]
| Charley horse | |
|---|---|
| Other names | Charley,[1] Charley-horse,[2] charlie horse, leg cramp |
| Specialty | Sports medicine |
The term came into use in the setting of baseball in the United States in the 1880s,[8] though its exact origin is uncertain.[9]
Etymology
The first known written use of the term was in 1886 in The Boston Globe.[10][11] The origination has been attributed to two baseball players, Jack Glasscock and Joe Quest.[12] However, its exact origins are unknown.[13]
