July 29, 2013, 20:46
KallehHam-handed challenges
I read an article that mentioned a ball player's "ham-handed challenges" to his team. I hadn't heard the term before, but I am sure many of you have? One definition was "clumsy" or "inept," both of which fit. Apparently "hamfistedness" is chiefly British.
Do you use the phrase?
July 29, 2013, 22:23
arnieI've only ever come across "ham-fisted" before. It's fairly common here.
July 30, 2013, 20:19
Kalleharnie, does it mean "inept?" I don't see what "ham" has to do with ineptness or clumsiness, I guess.
July 30, 2013, 22:02
BobHaleIt's only a guess but I'd guess that it refers to your hands being as big and as manoevreable as a ham.
August 01, 2013, 01:54
arnieI agree with Bob. The phrase is rather more recent than I'd imagined, though. According to the
Online Etymology Dictionary quote:
Ham-fisted (1928) was originally in reference to pilots who were heavy on the controls, as was ham-handed (by 1918).
August 01, 2013, 20:16
KallehWe of course use "ham" to denote overacting in theatre, but I've not heard it used as "ham-handed." That origin makes sense, Bob.
August 02, 2013, 05:49
<Proofreader>I believe
ham-handed derives from the duties of Hormel meat packers.