Inside baseball (metaphor) explained

In American slang, the term inside baseball refers to the minutiae and detailed inner workings of a system that are only interesting to, or appreciated by, experts, insiders, and aficionados.^{[1] [2]} The phrase was originally used as a sports metaphor in political contexts, but has expanded to discussions of other topics as well.^[1] Language commentator William Safire wrote that the term refers to details about a subject that require such a specific knowledge about what is being discussed that the nuances are not understood or appreciated by outsiders.^[3]

Origin of the term

The term originated in the 1890s, referring to a particular style of playing the game which relied on singles, walks, bunts, and stolen bases rather than power hitting. Within a few decades the term was being used to mean highly specialized knowledge about baseball, and by the 1950s it was being applied to politics.^[4]

See also

• Jargon

Notes and References

1. The Oxford Dictionary of American Political Slang. Ed. Grant Barrett. Oxford University Press, 2004 (paperback ed. 2006). p. 5-6.
2. Web site: Inside baseball. Grammarist. 11 June 2012 . 27 July 2018.
3. Web site: Safire. William. On Language; Inside Baseball. New York Times Magazine. 28 February 2012. William Safire. June 19, 1988.
4. Web site: The Inside Scoop on 'Inside Baseball'. Merriam Webster.