Charley horse

Meaning

The idiom "charley horse" refers to a sudden, intense pain in the lower back that can make it difficult to move or stand for extended periods of time. It is often used to describe a sudden injury or strain, but can also be used more generally to refer to any type of low back pain.

Usage

• After overexerting himself lifting boxes in the garage, John felt a sharp charley horse that made it impossible for him to move for several hours.
• As she walked down the street, Sarah suddenly felt a shooting pain in her lower back and had to stop at the side of the road with a charley horse.
• My dad often suffered from a charley horse after playing basketball with his friends on weekends.
• The sudden change in temperature during the winter months can cause many people to experience a charley horse that makes it difficult to move around.
• Many fitness enthusiasts are familiar with the feeling of a charley horse that occurs when they push themselves too hard during a workout.

Roots and History

The origin of the idiom "charley horse" is not entirely clear, but it is believed to have originated in the United States in the late 19th or early 20th century. One theory suggests that it may be related to the use of a contraption called a "charley horse" during rodeos, which involved tying an injured calf's back to the saddle and making it walk by pushing it forward with a rope attached to its head. This forced the calf to move despite its pain, leading to the idea that experiencing intense lower back pain is similar to being like a calf with a charley horse. Another theory suggests that the idiom may be related to the use of a "charley horse" in the military during World War II, where injured soldiers were transported on stretchers with their backs tied together and pushed forward by other soldiers. This would have caused them to experience intense pain in their lower backs. Despite these theories, the true origin of the idiom remains uncertain and may never be fully understood.

Synonyms in English

• Low back pain
• Muscle strain
• Injury
• Discomfort
• Painful spasms

Synonyms in other languages

• Español: dolor de espalda baja o ligamento
• Français: douleur du dos inférieur ou tendinite
• German: Ermütigungskrankheit oder Rückenmuskelzerrung
• Italian: dolore alla schiena bassa o tendinite
• Japanese: 腰症 or 腰ligamento

Similar Idioms

• dog’s life

• bull’s eye

• break a leg