We know that the term charley horse originated when American baseball players were describing the cramps. Possibly, the players named the painful cramps in reference to a lame horse named Charley that worked at the Chicago White Sox playing field in the late 1800s.
- A Charley horse is the name for leg cramp or stiffness. What’s the origin of the phrase ‘Charley horse’? ‘Charley horse’ (sometimes misspelled ‘ Charlie horse ‘) is an American phrase and originated in the sport of baseball. The term is very much American and not in use in many other English-speaking countries.
Why do they call a leg cramp a charley horse?
The term appears to have its roots in the great American pastime, baseball, though its exact origin is a little murky. One theory is that sometime in the late 1880s, the grounds crew in Chicago used a lame horse called Charley. Teammates started referring to injured players as Charley the Horse.
Why are charley horses so painful?
The extreme pain comes from the continued contraction. “The contraction goes beyond what you want to do,” said Porter. “The muscle fatigues, it starts hurting, you say, ‘all right stop,’ but it’s doing it on its own — it’s not your idea, it’s an involuntary action.”
Where did Charlie horse get its name?
“In the 1890s, an old horse named Charley was used in the old Chicago White Sox ballpark to pull a roller across the infield. He was old and his muscles would get so stiff he could hardly walk. Players and spectators who caught a cramp thought of the old horse and started calling the condition a charley horse.”
Why does a charley horse happen at night?
Many people experience charley horses during sleeping hours and are awakened because of them. Muscle spasms that cause charley horses while you sleep are common. However, why these nighttime spams occur isn’t entirely understood. It’s believed that lying in bed in an awkward position for a long time plays a role.
What’s the difference between a Charlie horse and a cramp?
A sustained muscle spasm is called a muscle cramp. Leg muscles, especially the quadriceps (thigh), hamstrings (back of thigh), and gastrocnemius (calves), are most likely to cramp, but any skeletal muscle in the body can cramp. A “charley horse” is another name for a muscle cramp.
What do you do when you get a charlie horse?
Massage, a bath with Epsom salts, or a heating pad can relax the muscle. To fight pain, use an ice pack or take an over-the-counter medication like ibuprofen or naproxen. In most cases, the charley horse will stop within a few minutes. But if you get them often and for no clear reason, tell your doctor.
Do bananas help charley horses?
You probably know that bananas are a good source of potassium. But they’ll also give you magnesium and calcium. That’s three out of four nutrients you need to ease muscle cramps tucked under that yellow peel. No wonder bananas are a popular, quick choice for cramp relief.
How do you stop a Charlie horse at night?
7 Ways to Relieve and Prevent Leg Cramps at Night
- Stretch your hamstring and calf muscles during the day and before you go to bed.
- Drink plenty of water throughout the day and watch your alcohol and caffeine consumption.
- Try mild exercises before bed, such as walking or riding the stationary bike for a few minutes.
What foods trigger leg cramps?
WHAT FOODS CAN CAUSE MUSCLE CRAMPS?
- Refined carbs like white bread are devoid of nutrients.
- Excessive red meat consumption is bad due to nitrates.
- Fast food is full of trans fats.
- Foods with refined sugar such as packaged muffins are full of artificial ingredients.
- Salty foods can wreak havoc on the body.
What is a Charlie horse called in England?
What’s the origin of the phrase ‘Charley horse’? The term is very much American and not in use in many other English-speaking countries. I’ve certainly never heard it use in the United Kingdom – here we are less imaginative and when we get cramp we call it just cramp.
Can Charlie horses cause blood clots?
Several of the above situations that trigger a Charlie Horse may also increase risk of blood clot development, especially dehydration and inadequate blood flow, such as remaining sedentary for long periods of time.
What is your body lacking when you have leg cramps?
Mineral depletion. Too little potassium, calcium or magnesium in your diet can contribute to leg cramps. Diuretics — medications often prescribed for high blood pressure — also can deplete these minerals.
What can you eat to prevent Charlie horses?
Here are 12 foods that may help with muscle cramps.
- Avocado. Avocados are creamy, delicious fruits that are packed with nutrients that may help prevent muscle cramps.
- Watermelon. One possible cause of muscle cramps is dehydration.
- Coconut water.
- Sweet potato.
- Greek yogurt.
- Bone broth.
- Papaya.
- Beet greens.
Why does vinegar stop leg cramps?
Acetic acid is postulated to mitigate cramping by decreasing alpha motor neuron activity through oropharyngeal stimulation and inhibitory neurotransmitter production, while aiding in the role acetylcholine plays in muscle contraction and relaxation.
Read This If You’ve Ever Wondered Why It’s Called A ‘Charley Horse’
The first time I had one of those excruciating leg muscle spasms known as a charley horse, I was confused as to why it was named that (and also, “Why is this hurting so damn much?”). Now I know why it’s called that. True, I’m preoccupied with suffering, but I’m left wondering, “Who is Charley?” “Can you tell me what was going on with his horse?” It turns out that there are a few different hypotheses about the origin of the phrase, but the majority of them point to baseball. Image courtesy of Jan-Otto via Getty Images Charley horses are excruciatingly painful muscular spasms that often occur in the lower extremities.
The term is attributed to two baseball players, Jack Glasscock and Joe Quest, who are both credited with coining it.
Base-ball players have created a completely new ailment, which they have dubbed ‘Charley-horse.’ When ball players chase balls, they experience a distinctive contraction and hardness of the muscles and tendons of the thigh, which is caused by the rapid stopping and beginning that occurs while chasing balls.
According to some sources, Glasscock learned this term from his father, who was responsible for Charley’s upbringing.
- The Chicago Tribune published an article in 1906 stating that outfielder Hugh Nicol stated that Quest developed the term in 1882 while playing baseball for the Chicago White Stockings.
- According to a tip they’d gotten the night before, a horse named Charley had a good chance of winning the race.
- “The tip was presented as a certainty, it just couldn’t lose, and we all went on board,” Nicol recounted.
- Quest, on the other hand, had the final laugh.
It’s reported that Quest said to his colleagues, “Take a look at your old Charley horse now!” The next day, according to Nicol, the ribbing continued and he even screamed, “There’s your old Charley horse” when another teammate strained himself in a similar fashion while sprinting to second base.
There is another notion that is comparable to the Glasscock account.
After years of lifting large weights, the animal’s legs had become rigid, and he now walked with the gait of someone who had pulled their tendons.
Joe claimed that the ball players who were afflicted by the illness limped in the same manner as the old horse, and because no one could figure out what was wrong, Quest called the condition ‘Charley horse.’ Remember that the term “charley horse” originally appeared to relate to more serious sporting injuries rather than the painful but short-lived spasms that many individuals experience in the middle of the night when they awaken from a dream.
- “Let a man suffer from a true episode of ‘Charley horse,’ and he is lucky if he gets over it in a season, while it may cling to him throughout his life,” according to a January 1887 article in theDemocrat and Chronicle in Rochester, New York.
- According to reports, wounded athletes would relate their hobbling to Charley’s gait and refer to a leg muscle strain as a charley horse when they were hurt.
- Another hypothesis holds that the term “charley horse” was a reference to pitcher Charles “Old Hoss” Radbourn, who suffered from severe cramps while playing baseball in the 1880s.
- His exuberant teammates, including Nova, raced over to him as they emerged from the bench.
- The term “Charley Hoss” or “Charles Horse” has been used to refer to baseball players who have been crippled since that day till the present.
Several years later, in a July 1887 issue of the Boston Globe, it was reported that “the name is claimed to have originated from the fact that a player who is afflicted with it, when trying to run, does so much in the manner of a youngster riding on a wooden horse, commonly known as a “Charley horse.”” There is no way to determine the exact origin of the phrase, but one thing is certain: They hurt like hell, so keep hydrated and remember to stretch when you get one of them.
Why Do We Call a Leg Cramp a Charley Horse?
If you’ve ever had a charley horse, which is a severe muscular spasm or cramp in your leg, you may have found yourself scratching your head, wondering what the heck this stupid word even means. What is the identity of this Charley character? What was his route to get here? And how much does he know about my suffering? This phrase, like the words flaky and jazz, is most likely to have come into use on the baseball diamond. While the exact origin of the phrase is unknown, historical newspaper clippings show that it was created by a baseball player around the 1880s.
At the time of the publication of the Democrat and Chronicle story in January 1887, the word was well-known to baseball players, but charley horses were as mysterious as “an Egyptian hieroglyphic” to the general public.
As theOakland Daily Evening Tribunereported at the time, “almost every athletic publication provides a different tale as to how the termcharley horseoriginated in baseball circles.” According to the newspaper, the most plausible story revolved on John Wesley “Jack” Glasscock, a shortstop who was at the time playing for the Indianapolis Indians.
- After noticing his son hobbling along, the senior Glasscock is said to have cried, “Why, John, my kid, what’s going on?
- There were other periodicals that carried similar tales that were ascribed to a variety of other players.
- Paul Dickson’s The New DicksonBaseball Dictionarydescribes a few different theories about baseball.
- In another scenario, the horse’s origins might be traced back to an ancient workhorse who was responsible for pushing a roller over the field.
- The stiff-legged ballplayers’ movements were likened to the hard trudging of these elderly horses, and the ailment itself became known as a “charley” or a “charley horse,” according to the New York Times.
- The term “charley horse” initially appeared to refer to a much more catastrophic injury—or perhaps there was a little of hysteria associated with the ailment at the time, which was considered novel and frightening in the late nineteenth century.
Another report from 1887 stated that baseball star George Van Haltren’s relatives were concerned that he might be struck by a charley horse, “despite the fact that they have no idea what it is.” In the words of one observer, he was “very fortunate” since he had “not yet come across the awful charley horse.” For example, according to Healthline.comnow, charley horses “are often treated at home” by stretching, massaging, or icing the affected area, but the muscular discomfort can last for up to a day in certain situations, according to the website.
That’s all there is to it.
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Charley horse: Causes, symptoms, remedies, and more
A charley horse is a muscular spasm that occurs suddenly and is extremely painful. It is more common after physical activity and at night. A calf muscle strain is most usually associated with lower leg pain, although it can also manifest itself in the foot and, on rare occasions, the thigh. These muscular spasms may also be experienced by pregnant women and persons suffering from certain medical disorders. Leg cramps afflict around a third of the population over the age of 50. According to a paper published in 2021, experts are unsure about the actual cause of muscular cramping.
Muscle cramps can be caused by a variety of factors, including the following:
- Nocturnal leg cramps may be caused by vigorous daily exercise, electrolyte imbalances, or the use of certain drugs
- Nevertheless, there is no definitive cause for them. Muscle cramps during pregnancy can be caused by a variety of factors, including weight growth, blood flow disturbance, and peripheral nerve compression. Cramping can occur during or after exercise due to a variety of factors including neurological changes, dehydration, and electrolyte imbalances, particularly in the arms and legs.
Crampings, particularly those that afflict the leg, are referred to as “charley horses.” Despite the fact that some individuals use the term “charley horse” to describe muscular spasms or twitches, these are two very distinct events. In general, clinicians understand the need of distinguishing between cramps and other disorders that appear to be the same as cramps, such as the following:
- Dystonia is a movement condition characterized by involuntary movements
- Myotonia is the process of muscles tensing, which includes both voluntarily flexing and involuntarily contracting
- And dystonia is a movement disorder characterized by involuntary movements. Tetany, which is an electrolyte imbalance caused by low calcium levels
- Myalgia, which is muscular soreness
Scientists have determined that a charley horse arises when muscles abruptly spasm or constrict, resulting in pain and discomfort. The ailment most commonly affects the calf muscle, which is located towards the rear of the lower leg. The abrupt and uncontrolled spasm is usually short, but it can linger for up to ten minutes in certain cases. The majority of people have unpleasant muscular contractions that do not result in long-term difficulties. Others, on the other hand, may have excruciating agony and suffering that lasts for several days.
Painful leg cramps, for example, might make it more difficult to move about and get around.
Additionally, the timing of a cramp might have an impact on its significance.
According to an analysis published in 2021, there are various risk factors for leg cramps:
- Being above the age of 60: A total of 37 percent of Americans over the age of 60 suffer from nocturnal leg cramps
- Being pregnant entails a number of changes. Cramping of the muscles occurs in around 50% of pregnant women, especially at night. If you have chronic renal failure, you may have the following symptoms: People suffering from chronic renal failure account for around 50% of the population. Muscle cramps, particularly in the legs, are experienced
- Having amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) means you have the following symptoms: Muscle cramps are common in people with ALS, with a 95 percent risk of having them. Having diabetes is a medical condition. Muscle cramps are experienced by around 60% of persons with type 1 diabetes. The prevalence of type 2 diabetes is around 80% in the general population.
Acute calf discomfort can occur for a variety of reasons that are unrelated to cramping. These are some examples:
- Trauma, deep vein thrombosis, a burst Baker’s cyst, to name a few conditions.
Following a review of publications published in 2017, researchers discovered that the following categories of sickness are frequently associated with leg cramps:
- A number of diseases and treatments are available for cardiovascular diseases, including coronary artery disease, high blood pressure, and uremia
- Neurological conditions such as motor neuron disease and polio
- And musculoskeletal problems such as arthritis. Metabolic conditions such as type 2 diabetes, liver disease, and thyroid dysfunction are also available.
Drugs and muscle cramps
Leg cramps are a common side effect of several medications. Staminoids, which assist decrease cholesterol levels, and diuretics, which help lower blood pressure levels, are examples of such medications. Some stimulants, such as amphetamines and caffeine, may also cause a charley horse or a leg cramp if taken in large quantities. Anyone who experiences leg cramps after taking prescription medications should consult with a doctor or pharmacist, who can provide advice on whether or not the medicine should be changed.
When the frequency or severity of muscular cramping increases, it is important to see a doctor since it might indicate an underlying condition that needs to be addressed.
When a person seeks medical attention for a charley horse condition, the doctor may inquire about their symptoms, which may include:
- It is important to know what the cramping feels like and where it occurs
- When and how often the cramps occur
- How severe the cramps are
- Whether they have started recently
- The person’s exercise habits
- Whether the person has any other symptoms, medical problems, or is taking any medications
- And whether the person is pregnant.
According to the 2021 study, a doctor may also instruct the patient to conduct stretches around the area afflicted by cramps or to move muscles in the surrounding area. This information can assist the doctor in determining the likely reason. In accordance with current research, quinine appears to be the only medicine that can help lower the intensity and frequency of leg cramps. Doctors, on the other hand, are reluctant to suggest this medication since its usefulness is questionable, despite the possibility of major adverse effects.
- Standing or moving the leg or foot will help to gently stretch out the muscle. Pulling the toes and the foot up and to the front of the leg should be firm but not harsh. Continue to perform these exercises until the cramping subsides and disappears.
A massage of the tight muscle has been shown to be effective by some persons. Depending on whether there are evidence of an underlying disease that may be causing the cramping, a doctor may recommend more tests. If a person is taking a medication that increases the likelihood of cramping, a doctor may decide to modify the medication or the dosage. A person may want to attempt the following methods to avoid getting a charley horse or a muscular cramp:
- Leaving enough time between eating and exercising
- Warming up before and after exercise by gently stretching muscles
- Drinking fluids and eating a small amount of food after exercise to replace fluid and minerals lost during exercise
- Staying hydrated by drinking plenty of water at all times
- Avoiding caffeine and other stimulants Keeping an eye out for any potential adverse effects of prescription medicines
A number of individuals take magnesium supplements to try to ease muscle cramps. However, evidence shows that magnesium supplements are ineffective in alleviating either pregnancy-related leg cramps or nocturnal leg cramps in women. Changes that may be beneficial, despite the lack of scientific evidence to support them, include the following:
- The use of relaxation techniques such as massage and heat treatment, as well as the use of alternative footwear, are all recommended. for people who lead a physically inactive existence, physical activity
Although the exact origin of the phrase is unknown, sources claim that the term charley horse, which is used to describe a muscular cramp, dates back to casual American athletic discourse that began in the 1880s and continues today. One explanation holds that the name originated from a baseball player who was referring to a lame horse. Horses were formerly employed to assist with groundskeeping duties in baseball. The name was allegedly derived from a baseball player named Charley, who had muscular cramps while pitching during a game in 1880, according to a tale that published in the Washington Post in 1907.
A charley horse, often known as a leg cramp, is a frequent ailment that does not generally signal the presence of a major medical condition.
Charley horse can be difficult to cure or avoid, with the exception of warming up before physical activity and staying hydrated throughout the process.
Glad You Asked: How did the phrase “charley horse” become associated with leg cramps?
We’re not sure what to make of it. Some sources state that the term’s origin is uncertain, while others reference the history of baseball or the health of horses as sources, and all agree that it was first used in the 1880s. An “unknown origin” is listed at the conclusion of the definition of a charley horse provided by the American Heritage Dictionary. According to the definition, a muscle cramp is “a muscular spasm.” The Random House Webster’s Dictionary, which may be purchased in our sports department and which has a meaning that is identical to the one contained in the American Heritage Dictionary, likewise does not specify where the term originated.
- And, at the conclusion of its charley horse explanation, it states that the phrase was originally baseball slang and that its origin is uncertain.
- He was old, and his muscles would get so stiff that he could not walk any distance at all.
- The other tells the story of Charley, a groundskeeper from Sioux City, Iowa, who was the owner of a lame horse.
- Is it true that Adolf Hitler was the one who invented the Volkswagen?
- Automobiles were more expensive than the average person’s income in the 1930s.
- Keep in mind that, before to driving the globe into war and perpetrating atrocities on an unparalleled scale, Hitler was known as a politician rather than a tyrant.
- In order to achieve this, Hitler and automobile designer Ferdinand Porsche met in 1933, during which Hitler determined the specifications for his ideal car.
Porsche was responsible for the design of what would become known as the Volkswagen Beetle, an unusual accomplishment for a man who would later go on to create some of the most beautiful automobiles ever created by the carmaker that bears his name.
Hitler’s invasions of Poland and Czechoslovakia occurred before the plant could be completed, but the facility subsequently became a military vehicle manufacturing center.
Following World War II, the KdF Wagen plant was relocated to the British area of occupied Germany.
VW began introducing new models throughout Europe after 1948 and had produced one million vehicles by 1955.
If you’re interested in the history of the Volkswagen Beetle, the book “Small Wonder: The Amazing Story of the Volkswagen Beetle,” by Walter Henry Nelson, is a must-read.
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What Is a Charley Horse? – Pain Management Center – Everyday Health
It’s possible that you’re going to fall asleep or that you’re about to wake up. Your calf muscle goes into spasm and won’t let go — it contracts into a rock-hard mass, and you’re trapped in the grip of intense pain. This happens without any apparent reason. Experiencing a muscle cramp, often known as a Charley horse, can be terrifying and devastating for those who have never had one before.
What Is a Charley Horse?
The term “charley horse” refers to an involuntary muscular cramp, spasm, or contraction that occurs without the use of voluntary muscles. Although the word is typically used to refer to a muscular spasm in the back of the calf at night, it can occur in any muscle in your body at any time of day. It is possible to have a Charley horse because neurons from your spinal cord encourage the muscle to continue contracting. After all, who exactly is Charley, and what exactly is the big deal about his horse?
One legend is that the grounds crew in Chicago utilized a lame horse named Charley at some point in the late 1880s or early 1900s.
Another legend has it that a pitcher called Charles was given the nickname “Old Hoss” because of his age.
A fellow player approached him as he staggered near home plate and said, “What’s up with you, Charley Hoss?”
What Causes a Charley Horse?
The actual reason for a Charley horse’s appearance is not always known. However, muscular damage and overuse are two of the most prevalent causes – for example, you may not have stretched correctly before working out or you may not be adequately hydrated. Leg cramps can also be caused by low blood levels of important minerals such as potassium, calcium, or magnesium, and somediuretic drugs that deplete the body of potassium might make you more prone. An inflamed nerve anywhere in your body may be the source of your Charley horse in some circumstances.
Additionally, as you grow older, you are more prone to experience cramps since your muscles are no longer accustomed to working as hard or as quickly as they once did.
Treating a Charley Horse
Charley horse cramps normally subside on their own, without the need for medical intervention. Stop doing whatever you’re doing as soon as you notice a cramp coming on. Massage your muscle and stretch it slowly, holding the stretch for as long as it takes to relieve the cramp. In the case of calf cramping, bend your foot (with the toes directed toward you) and maintain it flexed until the spasm is relieved. Applying heat to your muscles might assist to relieve muscle tension. Your muscles will be sore for a few days after you’ve survived your adventure.
What is the best way to avoid becoming a Charley horse?
Also, remember to stay hydrated at all times, but especially when engaging in vigorous physical activity.
On rare circumstances, they may, however, be a symptom of a more serious problem that necessitates medical intervention and treatment.
Seeing a doctor if your Charley horses are accompanied by significant discomfort or weakness, are becoming more frequent (even if they are not unpleasant), are not getting better with self-care, and do not appear to be caused by overuse or effort is highly recommended.
Definition of charley horse
- Definitions at the top of the page, a quiz, related content, and more information about Charley Horse
- Examples
- British
- Medical
- Idioms and phrases
This indicates the grade level of the word based on its difficulty. Transcription: (/trli/) Transliteration: This indicates the grade level of the word based on its difficulty. a painful, involuntary cramp of an arm or leg muscle that occurs as a result of severe muscular effort or a blow EVALUATE YOUR KNOWLEDGE OF AFFECT AND EFFECT VERSUS AFFECT! In effect, this exam will determine whether or not you possess the necessary abilities to distinguish between the terms “affect” and “effect.” Despite the wet weather, I was in high spirits on the day of my graduation celebrations.
Origin ofcharley horse
Originally baseball slang, it was first reported around 1885–1890.
Words nearbycharley horse
Charles XII, Charles XIV, Charleton, Charleville-Mézières, Charley, Charley horse, Charlie, Charlier shoe, Charline, Charlock, Charles XII, Charles XIV, Charles XIV, Charles XIV, Charles XIV, Charles XIV, Charles XIV, Charles XIV, Charles XIV, Charles XIV, Charles XIV, Charles XIV, Charles XIV, Charles XIV, CharlotDictionary.com Unabridged Random House, Inc. 2022, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Random House, Inc.
What doescharley horsemean?
Involuntary muscular spasms and cramps are known as charley horses, and they commonly occur in the major muscles of the limbs. It can last anywhere from a few seconds to more than a day—and it can be quite painful during its duration. Charley horse is also known as Charlie horse or Charlie horse in some circles.
Where doescharley horsecome from?
However, the phrase charley horse first emerges in the context of baseball in the 1880s, and its exact origin is unknown at this time. Various muscular problems, including cramping, bruises, and other aches and sores, were referred to as “charley horses” by baseball players at the time. According to one legend, the phrase “charley horse” originated from a lame horse named Charley that hauled equipment for the Chicago White Sox during the late nineteenth century. Poor Charley’s stumbling stride became so well-known among baseball players that anytime one of them acquired a muscle problem in the lower body that made it difficult to walk, they referred to it as a charley horse.
Radbourn’s first name was joined with Charley’s horse’s first name, and the second half of his moniker was changed.
It has also made its way into popular culture.
Please keep in mind that this is not the proper way to cure a real charley horse.
Instead, they recommend stretching, massaging, or icing the cramping muscle. Charlie Horse was the name of a character on Lamb Chop’s Play-Along!, a children’s puppet program from the 1990s that was intended to be amusing.
How ischarley horseused in real life?
In most cases, charley horsesoften appear in the middle of the night when a person is asleep. Most of the time, this is caused by either an unnatural position of the body or a vitamin deficit that causes muscles to cramp after being relaxed for an extended amount of time. In most cases, acharley horse will resolve itself given enough time and attention. However, if the problem persists, it may be a good idea to consult with a doctor. Despite the fact that it is most commonly associated with runners and athletes, charley horses are also infamous for sneaking up on people doing regular activities at the most inopportune times.
—@AquaPoppie on Twitter, July 2018 “She stated that heat cramps will manifest itself in a similar manner to a charlie horse or a muscle cramp.
As opposed to that, it is an informal summary that aims to give supplementary information and context that is crucial to know or keep in mind regarding the term’s historical development, meaning, and use.
Words related tocharley horse
Ache,constipation,contraction,convulsion,pain,stiffness,twinge,circumscription,confinement,crick,hindrance,impediment,kink,obstruction,pang,restriction,stitch,stricture,cramp,jarring
How to usecharley horsein a sentence
- To be honest, the truth of the situation was that I had to walk out and get on a horse, ride in, and shoot the gun — how difficult could that be, right? The poet appeared to have fainted on the street after leaving “The Horse,” and he died not long afterwards. The Horse You Came in On Saloon, Baltimore Horse-themed pubs must be unlucky for great authors
- The Horse You Came in On Saloon, Baltimore It was posted by a man named Shay Horse, who describes himself as an independent photojournalist with links to Occupy Wall Street in his bio.
- Additionally, the “Horse Protection Act of 1970” receives $697,000 in funding from the budget. Whenever the Merrill Horse was mentioned, Poindexter’s visage took on a demonic appearance. However, you are wrong in believing that the Merrill Horse is the sole component of the army heading west. During this session of parliament, the well-known legislation banning horse racing and deceptive gambling were approved
- Four years ago, Hetton’s horse was the first favorite, but it was humiliatingly defeated
- This year, Hetton’s horse is the second favorite. While looking out the window, Ripperda seen the wounded postilion fall upon his horse’s neck.
British Dictionary definitions forcharley horse
Nouninformalmuscle stiffness or cramping that occurs after excessive physical activity in the United States and Canada
Word Origin forcharley horse
C19: a term of unknown origin Complete Unabridged Digital Edition of the Collins English Dictionary, published in 2012. William Collins Sons Co. Ltd. was established in 1979 and 1986. In 1998, HarperCollinsPublishers published the following books: 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, and 2012.
Medical definitions forcharley horse
N.Localized discomfort or stiffness in a muscle as a result of severe muscular effort or a contusion of a muscle after a workout or injury. The Stedman’s Medical Dictionary, published by American Heritage® Houghton Mifflin Company owns the copyright for the years 2002, 2001, and 1995. Houghton Mifflin Company is the publisher of this book.
Other Idioms and Phrases withcharley horse
Muscle cramping or stiffness, most commonly in the thigh, as in the case of After working in the garden, I usually have a nasty case of the charleys. Following its introduction in the 1880s among professional baseball players, the phrase quickly became more widely used. Its exact origins are still up in the air. One of the more plausible hypotheses is that it refers to the name of either a horse or a baseball player who hobbled like one of the ancient draft horses that used to be used to drag the infield in the olden days.
Definitions from the American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company owns the copyright for the years 2002, 2001, and 1995. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company is the publisher of this book.
Charley horse Idiom Definition
a muscular cramping or stiffness, most commonly in the thigh, as is the case with Working in the garden causes me to have a nasty charley horse on a frequent basis. In usage since the 1880s among baseball players, the word has now been adopted by the general public. Whether or whether it originated in China is a matter of contention. One of the more plausible hypotheses is that it refers to the name of either a horse or a baseball player that hobbled like one of the ancient draft horses that used to be used to drag the infield during the game’s early stages.
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company is the publisher of this title.
Charley Horse: Causes, Risks, and Treatments
We include products that we believe will be of interest to our readers. If you make a purchase after clicking on one of the links on this page, we may receive a small commission. Here’s how we went about it. What is a charley horse and how does it work? Amuscle spasm is referred to as “charley horse” in some circles. Charley horses can occur in any muscle, but they’re most common in thelegs. These spasms are marked by uncomfortable muscle contractions. The pain can be severe if the contracting muscles are not allowed to relax for several seconds or longer.
- This is normal, so long as the pain isn’t prolonged or recurring.
- Muscle spasms that occur frequently, on the other hand, are frequently associated with underlying health conditions that require medical attention.
- And you may take treatments and preventive steps to boost your comfort.
- The most common causes include:
- Exercising in extreme heat or cold, overusing a specific muscle during exercise, and tension (which is most commonly felt in the neck muscles) are all possible causes of muscle injuries. not warming up before a workout session
- Dehydration
- Using diuretics, which can cause low potassium levels
- Mineral depletion, or having too little calcium, potassium, and sodium in the blood
- Nerve compression in the spine
Numerous people report having charley horses during their sleeping hours and being roused as a result of them. Muscle spasms that create charley horses as you sleep are a typical occurrence in the population. However, the exact reason for the occurrence of these evening spams is still a mystery. It is considered that laying in an uncomfortable position in bed for an extended period of time contributes to this condition. Muscle spasms can occur at any age and in any situation. As well as occurring at any time of day or night, a charley horse can occur at any location.
- Athletes, newborns, elderly persons, those who are obese, people who are taking certain medications such as diuretics, raloxifene (Evista), orstatin treatments, and people who smoke are just a few examples of who should avoid smoking.
Because of poor circulation in their legs, people who are fat are more prone to develop charley horses than other people. Athletesoften suffers from charley horses as a result of muscular exhaustion or excessive usage. The occurrence of the odd charley horse does not necessitate a formal medical diagnosis. Your doctor, on the other hand, should look into the frequency and recurrence of muscular spasms. This would apply if a charley horse appeared more than once a week without a satisfactory explanation for the occurrences.
- In order to determine whether nerve compression is the source of repeated charley horses, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans may be performed.
- It may also be necessary to do laboratory tests to rule out the presence of low potassium, calcium, or magnesium levels.
- The therapy for charley horses is determined on the underlying cause of the problem.
- Heating pads can assist to speed up the process of relaxing, while an ice pack can aid to dull the discomfort.
- A more forceful approach is required for recurrent charley horses.
- In extreme circumstances, your doctor may prescribe an antispasmodic medicine to alleviate the symptoms.
- In extreme circumstances, your doctor may recommend that you have surgery performed.
- If your spasms are caused by nerve compression, this may be of assistance.
- In order to ease the discomfort associated with a charley horse, you can apply pressure to the region of the cramp with your hands during the procedure.
You may also try applying pressure to the spot of the cramp with both of your thumbs, gradually increasing the pressure until the pain subsides. If you have a charley horse in your leg, you can try the following stretches to see if they help to alleviate the discomfort:
- Standing up and lunging forward on the front leg of the leg that is not experiencing muscular cramping
- Straightening the back of the leg that is experiencing the cramp and lunging forward on the rear leg of the leg that is experiencing the cramp
For a few seconds, you can also stand on the tips of your toes in order to stretch out your calf muscles. The symptoms of the occasional charley horse are often straightforward to avoid after the underlying cause has been identified and addressed. Take the following actions to reduce your risk of future muscle spasms:
- You may also stretch your calf muscles by standing on the tips of your toes for a few seconds. The symptoms of the occasional charley horse are often straightforward to prevent after the underlying cause has been identified and addressed. Consider taking the following strategies to reduce your risk of future muscle spasms:
A frequent occurrence, Charley horses can arise in any muscle and at any moment. They’re typically curable, and in certain cases, they can even be prevented. Pain induced by a spasm is usually temporary, lasting no more than a day or two. However, if you are experiencing charley horses on a regular basis, you should consult your doctor about possible remedies.
Charley horse – Wikipedia
This page refers to the page on “dead leg” in engineering. A “dead leg” is a redundant length of pipe through which flow is impossible because one end of the pipe is shut. Cramping in the legs and/or foot caused by a charley horse can last anywhere from a few seconds to many days. It was once used to refer to bruising of the quadriceps muscle of the anterior or lateral thigh, or concussion of the femur, which usually leads in a haematoma and, in some cases, several weeks of discomfort and impairment.
Such an injury is referred to as a “dead leg” in this later sense.
A charley horse is characterized by muscular contractions that occur without notice and can continue anywhere from a few seconds to many days.
Cause
In addition to hormone imbalances and dehydration (the evidence for which has been mixed), they may also be caused by drug side effects or, more gravely, illnesses such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and neuropathy (which have been linked to low magnesium, potassium, and calcium levels). They are also a typical complaint among women who are expecting a child.
Treatment
Using the opposite direction of the cramp to massage or stretch the leg and/or foot might provide relief. Standing up can also provide relief since it counteracts the signal that causes the muscles to tense.
Notes
- To find out more about the origin of the term “Charley Horse,” see Shulman D (1949), American Speech 24(2): 100–104, doi: 10.2307/486616.JSTOR486616
- Tonbridge SV (n.d). (1950). The Return of the “Charley Horse””.American Speech.25(1): 70
- Woolf HB (1973). “Mencken as Etymologist: Charley Horse and Lobster Trick.” American Speech.48(3/4): 229–238.doi: 10.2307/3087830.JSTOR3087830
- “Mencken as Etymologist: Charley Horse and Lobster Trick.”
External links
Leg cramps or stiffness are referred to as a Charley horse in this context.
What’s the origin of the phrase ‘Charley horse’?
The term ‘Charley horse’ (also written ‘Charlie horse’) refers to a baseball term that originated in the United States. The word is mostly associated with the United States and is not commonly heard in many other English-speaking nations. We are less inventive in the United Kingdom, and when we have cramp, it is simply referred to as cramp. I’ve never heard it used in the United States. All of the earliest occurrences of the term are associated with baseball in one way or another. The oldest instance I can find is from the July 1887 issue of The Fort Wayne Gazette: “Whatever is ailing a player this year is referred to as the ‘Charley horse.’ The ‘Tom and Jerry horse’ might be used in a variety of situations.” Several sources have claimed that the term first appeared in ‘Sporting Life’ in 1886; however, I have not been able to independently verify these assertions.
- Why is it that leg cramps are referred to as “Charley horses”?
- There are various hypothesized derivations, although they are hardly more than educated guesses.
- The most often repeated version looks to be erroneous, as we can put the cart before the horse, so to speak; yet, it is the most generally repeated version.
- The quantity of walking that the police officers were compelled to accomplish caused them to develop sore calves.
- I have not been able to corroborate the use of the word Charleys for police officers in either England or America, and there appears to be no explanation for the association with baseball.
– Old Hoss was the nickname given to pitcher Charley Radbourne. During a baseball game in the 1880s, he had cramping. This is at least reasonable and does not have any obvious flaws that would rule it out, but it is not enough to show that it is the source of the problem.
r/etymology – Why is it called a Charley Horse?
I’m going to borrow the etymology from the referenced Wiki: The phrase ” Charley horse “, which describes a sudden leg spasm or sprain, was coined by Quest according to multiple different stories. Former outfielder Hugh Nicol is credited with the creation of the New Bill James Historical Baseball Abstract, written by baseball historianBill James. The genesis tale is based on numerous reports published in 1906 and ascribed to Nicol. In that version of events, Quest and several other members of the White Stockings took advantage of a free day by attending a horse racing on the south side of Chicago.
Except for Quest, all of the participants put wagers on Charley’s performance.
After being taunted for not betting on the horse, Quest is said to have said to the other players, “Take a look at your Charley horse now.” The following day, while sprinting to second base, Chicago outfielder George Gore pulled up with a strain, similar to what had happened to the horse the day before.
It was from that point on that players began referring to a sudden leg cramp or strain as the term “short leg.” The Boston Globe published the first documented explanation of the phrase’s origins in regard to a sporting injury in 1886, which was the year it was coined.
“Charlie horse,” according to the story, is a distinctive contraction and hardness of the muscles and tendons of the thigh, to which base ball players are particularly susceptible because of the quick starting and stopping while pursuing balls, as well as the many slides when running the bases.
Quest was inspired to coin the phrase by his experience working in his father’s machine shop with an old horse named “Charley.” After witnessing ball players walk with a similar stiffness after a cramp or strain, Quest is said to have coined the term “Charley horse” to describe the symptom.
According to a fourth source, published in 1937, Quest coined the term after walking off the field and remarking, “I’m as lame as that old white horse Charley over there in the lot.” Quest had been limping off the field when he made the remark.
It has been observed that other sources have given genesis stories unconnected to Quest, yet it has been stated that such narratives “may be dismissed because the phrase was in use before the protagonist came into being.” One version of the phrase ascribed it to Charlie Esper, a pitcher who supposedly moved “like a lame horse,” according to reports.
Despite this, Esper did not begin playing until 1894, by which time the term had already gained widespread recognition.
The Mysterious Pain of ‘Charley Horse’
1st of April, 2008 – Almost everyone has had some sort of encounter with it. You’re delightfully going off to sleep, your body completely relaxed and comfortable. Your calf is suddenly gripped by a painful spasm, as if your leg had just been stabbed with a butcher’s knife. Nightime leg cramps, also known as charley horses, are an annoying but frequent ailment that has us and our physicians scratching our heads in bemusement as to why the hell it happens and how we may stop it happening again in the near future.
- One thing is certain: these cramps are excruciating.
- Boggess, who added that the discomfort of having your uterus contract so forcefully “could be akin to that.” Nancy Gatlin, 77, of Winston-Salem, North Carolina, reports that she suffers from midnight cramps on a regular basis.
- Despite the fact that Gatlin can perform splits, “it’s pretty unusual; it’s impossible to stretch out unless you can do splits,” he explained.
- The vast majority of patients who visit doctors’ offices admit to having had a charley horse, when asked whether they have.
Puzzling Pain
Doctor Neil Porter of the University of Maryland Medical Center’s Department of Clinical Neurology says that even for something as simple and common as migraines, it can be difficult to comprehend. “It is not something that will need extensive medical intervention. For a cramp, the question is how much research you are willing to have done about yourself. A muscle biopsy is not something that most people want to have done. If you ask them, they will answer “no way.”” Doctors don’t have a good explanation for why nighttime cramps occur because they are short-lived and relatively harmless; instead, they have a collection of educated guesses, according to Dr.
Electrolyte imbalances and dehydration are considered to be the root causes of cramps.
Exercise and sitting in certain positions for an extended period of time can also be harmful.
Another hint is the fact that pregnant women and the elderly appear to experience charley horses at a far higher rate than the general population, despite the fact that people of all ages and conditions do experience them.
Cells Gone Haywire
In the end, experts believe that the many physical triggers are all responsible for the same thing. A number of important minerals — sodium, potassium, and calcium — all contribute to the contraction of muscles. It is possible for muscular contraction to be disrupted when the levels of one or more minerals are reduced or altered, for example, as a result of dehydration or excessive perspiration. Exactly what is going on in the muscle and nerve cells is a little more difficult to determine, according to the medical community.
- Doris K.
- The intense discomfort is caused by the continuous contraction.
- “The muscle becomes fatigued, it begins to ache, and you tell it to stop, but it’s doing it on its own – it’s not your idea, it’s an involuntary activity,” says the author.
- In addition, “older folks just have fewer reserves,” according to Cope.
- Javad Parvizi, an associate professor in the department of orthopedic surgery at Thomas Jefferson University, concurred with the statement made.
- Elderly folks have a more difficult time reestablishing the regular functioning of their bodies.
Soothing the Spasms
In the absence of a fail-safe remedy for charley horses, medical professionals provide a variety of preventative measures, including drinking lots of water, eating plenty of potassium, and stretching before to and after physical activity in order to reduce the likelihood of cramping at night. A charley horse is a painful condition that can be treated with massages, stretching, warm baths, and ice, among other things (although none are scientifically proven to work). Vitamin B12 supplements are available for those who choose to take their medication.
Quinine was widely prescribed as a cure for cramps until the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a warning about its potentially fatal cardiac adverse effects.
John Spangler, professor of family medicine at Wake Forest University School of Medicine in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, is a “last option.” The advantages must outweigh the dangers, in my opinion, and I must be convinced of this.
It is precisely this mentality that will ensure that this physiological event remains a mystery for some time to come.
According to Parvizi, “I think it’s probably simply a result of the way we’ve been put together.” “There isn’t a solid purpose for it, and it isn’t likely to produce any long-term consequences.” Besides, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t be considered for it.” The reality is that this is something that has to be accepted as part of life and accepted as something that must be accepted as part of one’s existence.”