Uncle Charlie

American  

[uhng-kuhl chahr-lee] / ˈʌŋ kəl ˈtʃɑr li /

noun

Baseball Slang.

1. curveball.

   When this guy delivers his Uncle Charlie, there’s not a left-handed hitter in the league who can get on base.

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Etymology

Origin of Uncle Charlie

First recorded in 1930–35; origin uncertain

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

Uncle Charlie

Bruno is a psychological relative of Uncle Charlie in “Shadow of a Doubt,” and of Brandon in “Rope.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 10, 2026

A 2021 film version of The Tender Bar produced by Mr Clooney cast Affleck as the aforementioned Uncle Charlie.

From BBC ● Jan. 9, 2023

At its center is Ben Affleck, as J.R.’s beloved Uncle Charlie, a literature-loving bartender who acts as a father figure to the boy.

From Seattle Times ● Dec. 22, 2021

Casting his friend Affleck as the larger-than-life Uncle Charlie was a no-brainer, said Clooney.

From Reuters ● Oct. 11, 2021

We met at the beautiful new house of Mother’s older brother, Uncle Charlie, and his wife, Aunt Annie, and their new baby, Larry.

From "March Forward, Girl" by Melba Pattillo Beals