mutton-fistedadj.
/ˈmʌtnˌfɪstᵻd/, U.S. /ˈmətnˌfɪstᵻd/ Clumsy, heavy-handed; ham-fisted. Also figurative.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > ability > inability > unskilfulness > [adjective] > clumsy or awkward > clumsy with the hands
handless1483
left-handed1579
butterfingered1615
heavy-handeda1634
thumbless1648
unhandy1669
mutton-fisted1737
two-fisted1774
numb-handed1849
butterfingers1851
buttery-fingered1853
cack-handed1854
Marlborough-handed1893
thumb-fingered1903
thumby1909
ham-handed1918
ham-fisted1928
1737 J. Breval Rape of Helen 15 Here's Redress with a Witness! I have lost three of my Teeth. Oh! that Mutton-fisted Jade.
1844 B. N. Webster Caught in Trap i. i. 12 Yes, her hand is all well-enough—but he, when he comes up so to you with his ramifications, a mutton-fisted ruffian.
1918 Punch 3 Apr. 222/2 Second P[ilot]... I was getting ham-handed and mutton-fisted, flapping the old things every day.
1927 Observer 27 Nov. 6 A critic of his central sound sense..and mutton-fisted manner of calling a spade a spade.
1934 Times Lit. Suppl. 22 Nov. 813/2 But he [sc. a hunter] was naturally a little headstrong, and a mutton-fisted stable-boy speedily made of him an incurable puller.
1965 D. Francis For Kicks ix. 120 I worked in a slovenly fashion and rode..like a mutton-fisted clod.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2003; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adj.1737