# southpaw

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈsaʊθˌpɔː/ · frequency rank #49,064

## Definitions
1. One who is left-handed, especially in sports.
2. One who is left-handed, especially in sports.
3. One who is left-handed, especially in sports.

## Etymology
From south + paw. First attested in 1813. Originating from 19th-century ballparks often oriented with the batter facing east to avoid the afternoon sun, placing a left-handed pitcher's arm on the south side. However, earlier usage suggests it may stem from 1840s boxing slang for a left-handed punch.
For Baseball:
* Early 19th-century ballparks were often built with home plate on the west side and the pitcher's mound on the east to prevent the sun from being in the batter's eyes. Consequently, a left-handed pitcher's arm would be facing the southern side of the diamond.
For Boxing:
* Evidence suggests the term existed before baseball, being used in the 1840s to describe a left-handed punch or "paw" in boxing. A 1848 political cartoon described a "south paw" blow in this context.

## Common misspellings (12)
`osuthpaw`, `sotuhpaw`, `souhtpaw`, `southapw`, `southhpaw`, `southpaww`, `southppaw`, `southpwa`, `soutphaw`, `soutthpaw`, `ssouthpaw`, `suothpaw`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/southpaw