backhanded

Meanings

• adjective, adverb

  Expressing praise or approval insincerely; making a compliment that is intended to be offensive or sarcastic.

  - "His backhanded compliment about my cooking made me realize he didn't really like it."
  - "Despite her backhanded praise, I knew she didn't think highly of my performance."

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Pronunciation

1. /ˈbækˌhændəd/
   
   
   
   Source: "https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=297767"

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Rhymes

Words rhyming with backhanded
handled , maneuvered , planned , commanded

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Variants

List of all variants of backhanded that leads to same result
backhand , backhanded , backhandedly , backhanding , backhands , backhanded compliment

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Etymology

origin and the way in which meanings have changed throughout history.

Originated in the late 19th century from the phrase 'to backhand someone,' meaning to hit someone from the side, often with a backhanded fist. The figurative meaning developed from the idea of delivering an insult or compliment in a sneaky or indirect way.

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Trivia

Any details, considerations, events or pieces of information regarding the word

1. Backhanded compliments are often used in politics and diplomacy to hide criticism or to manipulate public opinion.

2. In some cultures, backhanded compliments are considered a sign of respect and politeness, as they allow people to save face and avoid direct confrontation.

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Related Concepts

informations on related concepts or terms closely associated with the word. Discuss semantic fields or domains that the word belongs to

1. insincere compliments: Backhanded compliments are a type of insincere compliment, where the speaker intends to hide their true feelings or intentions.

2. sarcasm: Backhanded compliments are a form of sarcasm, where the speaker uses irony to convey the opposite meaning of their words.

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Culture

Any cultural, historical, or symbolic significance of the word. Explore how the word has been used in literature, art, music, or other forms of expression.

Backhanded compliments have been a common theme in literature, particularly in satire and comedy. For example, in Oscar Wilde's 'The Importance of Being Earnest,' Algernon delivers a backhanded compliment when he says, 'You are a very remarkable girl. I've hardly ever met a girl who combined such a pretty face with such an insipid mind.'

How to Memorize "backhanded"

1. visualize
   

   - Imagine someone making a backhanded compliment by delivering a fake smile and a sarcastic comment. Visualize the insincere tone and the hidden meaning behind their words.

2. associate
   

   - Associate the term 'backhanded' with the image of a backhanded fist, reminding you of the origin of the term and its meaning.

3. mnemonics
   

   - Create a mnemonic phrase like 'Backhanded compliments are like a backhanded fist - they may seem friendly on the surface, but they hide a hidden punch.'

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