charley

An affable, lively, and entertaining man who is often or always seeking pleasure or a good time. I was something of a good-time Charlie back in college, always ready to party. I had a lot of friends and a great time, but I didn't get very good grades as a result.

A painful muscle spasm that most commonly occurs in the legs. Spending all day on my feet caused a charley horse in my leg that was so painful, I had to sit down for a while and rest.

a painful, persistent cramp in the arm or leg, usually from strain. (*Typically: get ~; have ~; give someone ~.) Don't hike too far or you'll get a charley horse.

a sudden, painful tightening of a muscle in your arm or leg She got a charley horse in her leg and had to stop dancing.

Cramp or stiffness in a muscle, most often in the thigh, as in After working in the garden I frequently get a bad charley horse. First used in the 1880s among baseball players, the term was soon extended to more general use. Its true origin is disputed. Among the more likely theories proposed is that it alludes to the name of either a horse or an afflicted ball player who limped like one of the elderly draft horses formerly employed to drag the infield.

Affable, convivial fellow, as in Joe was a typical good-time Charlie, always ready for a party. [Colloquial; 1920s]

An easygoing and sociable guy. Popular in the 1920s, the phrase described a man who was always ready to have fun, although it sometimes meant someone who was your pal only during good times and who would desert you in your hour of need.