正確な語源は不明。後に小文字で表記され、ボクシングのアンダー?ザ?ショルダー?チョークのポジションで使われる。
Presently, Stubbs, the more skilful as well as the more powerful of the twain, seizes the luckless Jumper in a terrible gripe, known to the initiated as the Full Nelson. ["Lancashire Recreations," in "Chambers's Journal," April 24, 1875]