Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2.fluke 9/24/84; site fluke.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!mhuxr!ihnp4!houxm!vax135!cornell!uw-beaver!ssc-vax!fluke!inc From: inc@fluke.UUCP (Gary Benson) Newsgroups: net.flame Subject: OK for Southpaw, how about... Message-ID: <559@tpvax.fluke.UUCP> Date: Fri, 1-Mar-85 22:19:07 EST Article-I.D.: tpvax.559 Posted: Fri Mar 1 22:19:07 1985 Date-Received: Mon, 4-Mar-85 20:20:26 EST References: none Organization: John Fluke Mfg. Co., Inc., Everett, WA Lines: 29 *** WHERE DO BABY ASTERISKS COME FROM, DAD? *** OK, so now that 43 people have told us about the origin of the term southpaw, try these: Playing the field -- refers to a person who is not dating any one person. Since outfielders move around a larger area, can anyone verify that the phrase originated in baseball? Cricket may be the source... Out in left field -- means that the person referred to has his facts screwed up, or is otherwise confused about a situation. Is there a connection to "left field" in baseball? If so, is it a slur on lefties, or does it refer to the fact that most right-handers tend to hit there, and so the fielder has to play the position deeper? Strikeout, First Base, Second Base, etc. -- how did these totally innocent baseball terms get imbued with sexual connotations for adolescents? Does anyone know of other baseball terms that take on different meaning in other connections? Football has a slew of them, too. -- Gary Benson {allegra microsoft ssc-vax telematic uw-beaver wavetek} fluke!inc John Fluke Mfg Co MS 232-E PO Box C 9090 Everett WA USA 98206 (206) 356-5367 + This is the day which the Lord hath made; let us rejoice and be glad in it! +