out of left field. (See also out in left field.) [6][7][8], In May 1981, columnist William Safire asked readers of The New York Times to send him any ideas they had regarding the origin of the phrase "out of left field"—he did not know where it came from, and did not refer to Shaw's work. [5], Further instances of the phrase were published in the 1940s, including more times in Billboard magazine and once in a humor book titled How to Be Poor. How to use come out of left field in a sentence. 3 a : a state or position far from the mainstream (as of prevailing opinion) they were really out in left field with that idea. Sure, my aunt is really wacky and often out of left field, but I love her to pieces! [14], In 1998, American English professor Robert L. Chapman, in his book American Slang, wrote that the phrase "out of left field" was in use by 1953. For example: “The small independent film came from out of left field and won all the big awards.” Notes: This is similar to “out of the blue” and “out of nowhere,” but “out of left field” often carries a suggestion of something strange. Linguist John Algeo told Safire that the phrase most likely came from baseball observers rather than from baseball fans or players. as in stranded. [9] On June 28, 1981, he devoted most of his Sunday column to the phrase, offering up various responses he received. "[2] This is disputed since there is no evidence of the phrase being used before the 1940s, and the Cubs moved from the ballpark in 1915. A list of slang words and phrases, idioms, jargon, acronyms, and abbreviations. “Well, that came from way out in left field!” It’s something we’ve all heard, and most of us have said once or twice in our lives. [17][3], This article is about an American slang term. Learn more. [1], According to the Major League Baseball website the term means "crazy." 2. a position or circumstance that … The comment about the judge the other day was out of left field for my mind, it’s reasoning I don’t relate to. Another way to say Out In Left Field? b. the position of the player covering this area. "Out of left field" is American slang meaning "unexpected", "odd" or "strange". The defensive position in the outfield to the left. Obama Wins!!! For example, The composer's use of dissonance in this symphony is way out in left field, or His answer was out of left field; he was totally wrong. Example: Cole has put on weight over the years, so he wants to go on a diet. 2 : the part of the baseball outfield to the left looking out from the plate. “I’m gonna eat healthier starting today,” he said. Meaning of left-field. [16], From the Way Out In Left Field Society: This idiom refers to baseball's left field but the precise allusion is disputed. AMERICAN. "[11][12] left field definition: 1. the left part of the field in baseball 2. unusual and different from what is normally seen…. The idiom out of left field is taken from American baseball terminology, and its earliest use seems to stem from the 1950s. Uncommon, unpopular, or otherwise strange. Definition and synonyms of out in left field from the online English dictionary from Macmillan Education.. What does the idiom “Out of Left Field” mean? as in off the wall. Dictionary ! Some writers suggest it comes from the remoteness of left field, but only in very asymmetrical ballparks is left field more distant than right field. This Slang page is designed to explain what the meaning of out of left field is. Find more similar words at wordhippo.com! This term alludes to the left field of baseball, and there is some disagreement concerning its origin. out of left field. left (or right) nut; Definitions include: In the same tradition as calling shotgun, these two terms refer to the back seats on the left and right side of the vehicle. [3]. refers also to something that comes out of the blue, unexpectedly, as if from nowhere. Definition and synonyms of come out of left field from the online English dictionary from Macmillan Education.. left-winger; Definitions include: in the United States, a member of the Democratic party. Online Slang Dictionary. The phrase out of left field may refer to something that is odd or does not fit.The idiom out of left field is taken from American baseball terminology, and its earliest use seems to stem from the 1950s.Its origin is unknown. 279 synonyms for Out In Left Field (other words and phrases for Out In Left Field). "[14] The variation "out in left field" means alternately "removed from the ordinary, unconventional" or "out of contact with reality, out of touch. (Ok, I realize I’m a Little Late With This) Posted by Kristin Crighton on November 19, 2012. When something comesout of left field that means it was surprising or unexpected. He is, like most theorists, out there in left field, ignoring the experimental evidence. 0. The question came out of left field, but Mary Ann wasn't really surprised. All of his paintings are right out of left field. A position far from the center or mainstream, as of opinion or reason. (odd, eccentric) ser extraño, ser raro loc verb locución verbal: Unidad léxica estable formada de dos o más palabras que funciona como verbo ("sacar fuerzas de flaqueza", "acusar recibo"). "[14] He compares the term to left-wing politics and the Left Coast—slang for the liberal-leaning coastal cities in California, Oregon and Washington. Hence, "out in left field" meant one was furthest from the action taking place at home-plate, and the most likely to draw erroneous, fanciful conclusions about that action; thus, in a general sense, someone out in the left field would be someone who was not taking part in the action of whatever endeavor we were talking about. to come out of left field definition in the English Cobuild dictionary for learners, to come out of left field meaning explained, see also 'come at',come about',come across',come along', English vocabulary left-field synonyms, left-field pronunciation, left-field translation, English dictionary definition of left-field. a musical outfit specialising in clubby, electronica sounds i believe. "The phrase "way out in left field" has evolved to mean an eccentric, odd, misguided or peculiar statement or act. Come out of left field definition: to be completely unexpected | Meaning, pronunciation, translations and examples I highly enjoying reading Out of Left Field, and highly recommend it to readers who love playful, sport-centred YA contemporary. Popular music historian Arnold Shaw wrote in 1949 for the Music Library Association that the term "out of left field" was first used in the idiomatic sense of "from out of nowhere" by the music industry to refer to a song that unexpectedly performed well in the market. This information should not be considered complete, up to date, and is not intended to be used in place of a visit, consultation, or advice of a legal, medical, or any other professional. b : a source of the unexpected or illogical that question came out of left field. However, his determination was quickly put to the test whenout of left field his wife came home with a box full of donuts. Definitions include: to be left behind. Find more similar words at wordhippo.com! Synonyms for out in left field include off-center, odd, quirky, unconventional, off-the-wall, eccentric, strange, bizarre, offbeat and weird. come out of left field meaning: 1. to be completely unexpected and often unusual: 2. to be completely unexpected and often…. The batter immediately drops the bat and runs to the right to get to first base. Another word for out in left field. [15] He did not cite Shaw's work and he did not point to printed instances of the phrase in the 1940s. Out in left field definition at Dictionary.com, a free online dictionary with pronunciation, synonyms and translation. Most of your ideas are out of left field. Strange, and unexpected. [13], In Safire's Political Dictionary, Safire writes that the phrase "out of left field" means "out of the ordinary, out of touch, far out. God, did that ever come out of left field! or the left-h-s of the brain and the type of functions controlled therein. Most of your ideas are out of left field. Most baseball batters are right handed (therefore swing the bat from right to left) and hit a ball out into left field . The slang word / phrase / acronym out of left field means... . be out in left field v expr verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end." Find more ways to say out in left field, along with related words, antonyms and example phrases at Thesaurus.com, the world's most trusted free thesaurus. Another word for left-field. Marcus Callies, an associate professor of English and philology at the University of Mainz in Germany, wrote that "the precise origin is unclear and disputed", referring to Christine Ammer's conclusion in The American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms. suddenly; from an unexpected source or direction. 1. Menu. Definition and synonyms of come out of left field from the online English dictionary from Macmillan Education.. 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