charley horse

plural charley horses · alternative charlie horse · alternative charley-horse · alternative charleyhorse · alternative Charlie horse · alternative Charley horse · alternative Charlie-horse · alternative Charley-horse

1. USidiomaticSynonym of cramp, a painful involuntary muscle contraction, particularly a strong cramp in the torso, arms, or legs.

   Of course there had been plenty of bruises—one mild case of charley-horse, several dislocated or sprained fingers, a wrenched ankle or two and any number of cuts and scrapes, […]

   1914, Ralph Henry Barbour, Left End Edwards

   1 more example

   Several years ago, says the Chicago Tribune, Joe Quest, now of the Athletics, gave the name of ‘Charlie horse’ to a peculiar contraction and hardening of the muscles and tendons of the thigh, to which base ball players are especially liable from the sudden starting and stopping in chasing balls, as well as the frequent slides in base running.

   1886 July 17, Boston Globe, page 5

   Synonyms: cramp

2. informalA punch in the thigh.

   I knew to just keep my mouth shut about it — unless I wanted the word "dummy" to be followed by a charley horse.

   2006, Joe L. Kincheloe, The Praeger Handbook of Urban Education, volume 1, page 324