Where Did the Saying Manhandle Come from?

Marcus Vance
Marcus Vance
• • 5 min read

Manhandle (V.) Also Man-Handle, Mid-15C. , "Wield a Tool," Also, Late 15C. , "To Attack (An Enemy)," from Man (N.) + Handle (V.). Nautical Meaning "To Move by...

Where Did the Saying Manhandle Come from?

manhandle (v.)
also man-handle, mid-15c., "wield a tool," also, late 15c., "to attack (an enemy)," from man (n.) + handle (v.). Nautical meaning "to move by force of men" (without levers or tackle) is attested from 1834, and is the source of the slang meaning "to handle roughly" (1865).

What does manhandle mean?

1 : to handle roughly. 2 : to move or manage by human force manhandled the posts into place.

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What does manhandle a girl mean?

verb (transitive) to handle or push (someone) about roughly. to move or do by manpower rather than by machinery. Word origin.

Marcus Vance

Marcus Vance

Cybersecurity & Digital Privacy Researcher
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Marcus Vance is a cybersecurity auditor and technology writer dedicated to educating the public about online safety, data privacy regulations, enterprise security, and emerging cyber threats.