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The site of West Side Grounds is where I report to work daily. My research lab is in a building which was once the right field line (not left field). Recently a plaque reminding us all of the original Cubs field was placed outside.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
"Out in Left Field"
The phrase “way out in left field” has evolved to mean an eccentric or peculiar statement or act. The origin of the phrase comes from an extinct baseball park called West Side Grounds that the Chicago Cubs called home from 1893 to 1915. A mental hospital called the Neuropsychiatric Institute was located directly behind the left field wall. The Institute housed mental patients who could be heard making strange and bizarre comments within listening distance of players and fans. Thus, if someone said that you were “way out in left field,” the person was questioning your sanity and comparing you with a mental patient.
I
The site of West Side Grounds is where I report to work daily. My research lab is in a building which was once the right field line (not left field). Recently a plaque reminding us all of the original Cubs field was placed outside.
I
The site of West Side Grounds is where I report to work daily. My research lab is in a building which was once the right field line (not left field). Recently a plaque reminding us all of the original Cubs field was placed outside.
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2 comments:
I like the origin that you cited, but there is a different potential origin for the saying "out in left field." I have heard that it was because Babe Ruth played right field, so people with seats in left field were out of touch with the most important part of what was going on. I did a brief internet search which seems to indicate that the actual etymology of the phrase is not certain. That said, the psychiatric hospital story fits much better with the essence of the phrase, and I think I'm going to start going with that.
This post was "great". Also, I think Company is "full of it".
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