southpaw

From south +‎ paw.

This etymology is incomplete. You can help Wiktionary by elaborating on the origins of this term. Needs some information about why this combination was chosen in this meaning. Why is south left?

• IPA^(key): /ˈsaʊθˌpɔː/
• (cot–caught merger) IPA^(key): /ˈsaʊθˌpɑ/

• Audio (US):

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• Audio (General Australian):

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• Rhymes: -aʊθpɔː, -aʊθpɑ

southpaw (plural southpaws)

1. (informal) One who is left-handed, especially in sports.

   Synonyms: left-hander, lefty

   Antonyms: northpaw, right-hander

   1. (baseball) A left-handed pitcher.

      Since home plate is generally in the southwest corner to avoid glare in the batter's eyes, a southpaw's pitching hand is to the south.

   2. A boxer who leads with the right hand and guards with the left.

• “southpaw”, in OneLook Dictionary Search.