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the current meanings of these words come from past superstitions.
obviously we can't change these superstitions, and some of the words, like sinster, dextrous etc, are probably here to stay.
for the original question, i hereby suggest "both-handed".


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Ted, your cantering to the post on a Lufthansa has had me
ROFLKFIA--I think. (did I get all the letters right, or is it rolling on THE floor laughing, kicking feet in the air?)

william, you gave me an idea, too: how 'bout even-handed?


#5316 08/18/00 10:09 PM
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Two "rights" DO make a wrong. As a sinistral, I have decided to use the word correct instead of "right." "Dextor" does mean "right" in terms of a direction. It IS used to mean correct. For those of us in our "right" mind AND our correct mind, the term dexterous IS loaded.


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How about, "not shut as to the right hand." CHUCKLE. I would suggest "even-handed" were it not used in another sense. How about "universal-handed?"


#5319 08/19/00 12:35 AM
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Thank you, and not only may you, Mr Max, but you must! I am only as good as my interlocutors, so half the credit is yours, for inspiration.

Now, here's a question: I understand the term "southpaw" is from baseball, referring to left-handed batters who stood facing south in some stadium. Can anyone shed light?


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>>Ted, your cantering to the post...

Better than being left at the post, eh, Jackie?

(great pun, Ted... as usual)


#5321 08/19/00 02:23 AM
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I quote from alt.lefthanders FAQ:

It seems that on many (most) baseball diamonds the left hand side of the pitcher's mound would face south. At one time, most ball-parks were constructed so that the setting sun was behind the batter so as not to be in his eyes. The LH pitcher's throwing arm would then be toward the South as he faced the plate.


#5322 08/19/00 02:29 AM
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So we see how lefties have been shafted in more languages than English. The southpaw question reminded me of another leftish phrase related to baseball: "He's off in left field" being used to denote someone who is not in the mainstream. If the majority of batters are right-handed, then most balls would be hit toward left field. Why the negative connotation?


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