Where does the term straddle come from?

[esch]

The term straddle means to "bridge" two opposite sides/concepts.

I'd make the connection that one is bridging the first to act and last to act spots by straddling.

You also have the financial straddle where one takes action on both sides (put and call) of an option.

Whatever the origin, whoever came up with the term was pretty clever. "Blind raise with option" would just be lame.