From left field is an idiomatic expression that originated in baseball, describing something or someone that comes unexpectedly or from an unusual or surprising direction. It refers to a situation or idea that is unconventional, unexpected, or out of the ordinary.
In baseball, the outfield is the area of the playing field beyond the infield. When a batter hits the ball into left field, it is an unconventional event since most hitters are right-handed and tend to hit the ball towards the right side of the field. Therefore, anything that comes "from left field" is metaphorically out of the ordinary or unexpected.
This phrase is commonly used in everyday language to describe ideas, comments, actions, or events that seem random, unusual, eccentric, or quirky. It implies that something is not in line with the typical expectations or norms. For instance, if someone makes a bizarre or unrelated comment during a serious discussion, it could be said to have come "from left field."
"From left field" can also refer to a person who is seen as unconventional, eccentric, or unpredictable in their behavior or ideas. It suggests that their thoughts or actions are not easily understood or anticipated.
Overall, "from left field" describes something that is unexpected, divergent from the norm, or originating from a surprising source.
