boxing terms

[majapahit]

Does somebody knows where the term 'jab', 'cross' and 'uppercut' come from ?
Why do we call it that way ?
Thanks for your input

[William Eriepa]

From the Greeks of course. Just like every other english word.

[sk12879]

Uppercut should be self explanatory as should hook. I would think "cross" would come from the fact that in a boxing stance, it "cross"es your body.

[JKD-Escrima]

actually it is called a cross because it is supposed to cross over an opponents left jab. (a right cross for right handers and left for lefties against the right).

the jab is a word that means "to poke or thrust abrubptly" so that is pretty self explanatory.