Why Are Hamstrings Called Hamstrings?

Hamstrings refer to the group of muscles that allow the knee to flex and the hip to extend. These three muscles combined -- biceps femoris, semitendinosus, and semimembranosus --- are also known as the posterior femoral muscles or hamstrings.

Original Use

• The usage of the word hamstrings dates back to the middle ages as a noun and a verb.

Ham + String

• Hamstring is a compound word using the words ham (the place behind the knee) and string (referring to the visual appearance of tendons).

As a Verb

• Hamstringing someone was an action that resulted in making the subject useless.

Practically Applied

• Common injuries to the hamstrings thwart full movement and are therefore debilitating.