Charley horse: A cramp in a muscle in the leg, usually caused by a strain or injury. A charley horse can last anywhere from a few seconds to a quarter of an hour, and occasionally longer. It is not uncommon for one to recur repeatedly before it finally goes away.
The term "charley horse" is generally believed to be American baseball slang. One story involves Charley (Old Hoss) Radbourn (1853-1897) who was rounding third base when he developed a cramp in his leg. As he limped home, a player asked, "What's the matter, Charley Hoss?" "My leg is tied up in knots." Charley replied. From then on, when a baseball player's leg cramped, he called it a charley horse.
Library > Literature & Language > Dictionary ( chär ' lē ) n. Informal A cramp or stiffness in a muscle, especially of the upper leg, caused by injury or excessive ...
A charley horse is the common name for a muscle spasm, especially in the leg. Muscle spasms can occur in any muscle in the body. When a muscle is in spasm ...
Leg Cramp Muscle contraction causing a "charley horse" By Jonathan Cluett, M.D., About.com Guide. Updated August 21, 2006. About.com Health's Disease and Condition ...
You wake up in excruciating pain as a charley horse grips your calf. You're not sure what caused it, but all you care about is relieving it. Often charley horses are ...
Almost everyone has experienced it. You're blissfully drifting off to sleep, your body relaxed. Suddenly, your calf is clutched with an excruciating spasm — as if ...