The earliest known account of the phrase's origin in reference to a sports injury was published in the "Boston Globe" in 1886. The "Boston Globe" also attributed the phrase to Quest. According to that account, Quest "gave the name of 'Charlie horse' to a peculiar contraction and hardening of the muscles and tendons of the thigh, to which base ball players are especially liable from the sudden starting and stopping in chasing balls, as well as the frequent slides in base running."