charley horse

American  

[chahr-lee] / ˈtʃɑr li /

noun

1. a painful, involuntary cramp of an arm or leg muscle resulting from excessive muscular strain or a blow.

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charley horse British  

/ ˈtʃɑːlɪ /

noun

1. informal muscle stiffness or cramp following strenuous athletic exercise

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charley horse Idioms  

1. Cramp or stiffness in a muscle, most often in the thigh, as in After working in the garden I frequently get a bad charley horse. First used in the 1880s among baseball players, the term was soon extended to more general use. Its true origin is disputed. Among the more likely theories proposed is that it alludes to the name of either a horse or an afflicted ball player who limped like one of the elderly draft horses formerly employed to drag the infield.

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Usage

What does charley horse mean? A charley horse is an involuntary muscle spasm or cramp, usually occurring in the larger muscles of the limbs. It can last anywhere from a few seconds to more than a day—and can really hurt. Charley horse is popularly spelled Charlie horse or charlie horse. 

Etymology

Origin of charley horse

First recorded in 1885–90; originally baseball slang

Example Sentences

Once she yells about her charley horse what might have been a saucy turn degrades into an awkward limb pile because that is Miranda's avocation.

From Salon • Jul. 9, 2023

So she does, she really does, but a charley horse, and the general discomfort she can’t overcome, stops her.

From New York Times • Jul. 6, 2023

Campbell said Hutchinson was dealing with a charley horse.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 19, 2022

Jackson had a charley horse that forced him to miss Friday’s stadium practice, so this game is the first time Jackson will appear in a game setting for Washington.

From Washington Post • Aug. 12, 2021

The Adam’s apple or the charley horse or the butterflies in the stomach.

From Absolutely Almost by Lisa Graff

Related Words

• ache
• constipation
• contraction
• convulsion
• pain
• stiffness
• twinge