General
uncle charlie
What does uncle charlie mean?
A curveball, especially a big, sharp-breaking one; sometimes 'Lord Charles' for a great one.
"He froze the batter with a nasty Uncle Charlie on the outside corner."
Origin
American baseball slang known since the early 1930s; exact origin uncertain.
Frequently asked questions
What is an Uncle Charlie in baseball?
It's slang for a curveball, especially a big, sharp-breaking one.
What is a Lord Charles?
An especially great curveball, an elevated version of the Uncle Charlie nickname.
Where does Uncle Charlie come from?
It's been used since the early 1930s, though the exact origin of the nickname is uncertain.
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