Definition of the word left field

The term "left field" originally referred to the far-left position in baseball outfield, where the left-handed batter would more likely hit the ball in that direction. However, the expression "left field" now has an idiomatic usage in various contexts to describe something that is unexpected, unconventional, or outside the mainstream. This figurative meaning of "left field" seems to have evolved in the late 19th century, perhaps due to the growing popularity of baseball as a metaphor for life and work, where being "in left field" indicated a lack of focus or productivity. The term's usage in the figurative sense became more popular in American English during the mid-20th century, as it appeared more often in newspapers and idiomatic dictionaries. Today, "left field" is widely used in English to describe unpredictable or surprising developments in various spheres, from politics to business to popular culture.