back-handern.
1.
a. A blow with the back of the hand.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > impact > striking > striking with specific thing > [noun] > with the hand > with the back of the hand
back-hander1803
1803 Censor 1 Apr. 44 He will..‘give me such a back hander, as will send me reeling a dozen yards.’
1836 F. Marryat Mr. Midshipman Easy I. iv. 24 ‘Go away, Sarah,’ said Johnny, with a backhander.
1882 E. J. Worboise Sissie xxii. 220 A heavy backhander by way of punishment.
b. figurative.
ΚΠ
1862 G. J. Whyte-Melville Inside Bar (ed. 12) x. 363 This was obviously a back-hander at James.
1880 World 21 Aug. 7 The Lieutenant-General got a prompt backhander when he asked for a return of the contributions.
2. An extra glass of wine out of turn, the bottle being passed back.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > drink > intoxicating liquor > [noun] > a drink of > taken out of turn
back-hander1854
1854 W. M. Thackeray Newcomes (1855) II. v. 48 I will take a back-hander, as Clive don't seem to drink.
3. A back-handed stroke or blow. Cf. back-handed adj. 2.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > impact > striking > striking in specific manner > [noun] > a back-hand blow
retreatc1330
rere-mainc1400
reverse1490
reredemaine1548
riverso1595
back-hand1657
backstroke1753
back-hander1890
society > travel > transport > riding on horse (or other animal) > [noun] > urge on > with a whip > specific blow with whip
eye-opener1830
double-thonger1890
back-hander1958
1890 H. W. W. Wilberforce in J. M. Heathcote et al. Tennis (Badminton Libr. of Sports & Pastimes) 266 Few, if any, ladies can volley with effect, and the efforts of most to take a back-hander result in nothing better than a graceful scoop.
1958 J. Hislop From Start to Finish 166 Backhander, hitting a horse with a whip in the carrying position.
1959 Times 19 May 4/5 [Polo] A partial clearing gave Gracida the chance to whack in a stinging backhander.
4. A tip or bribe made surreptitiously, a secret payment. slang.
ΘΚΠ
society > trade and finance > fees and taxes > illegal payment or exaction > [noun] > bribe
gift1382
handy-dandyc1390
pricec1400
bud1436
bribe?a1439
golden (also silver) keyc1450
fee1549
golden shower1589
oil of angels1592
sugar-plum1608
bribera1616
palm oil1625
greasinga1661
sop1665
sweetbreada1670
vail1687
douceur1739
sweetener1741
bonus1759
buckshee1773
smear-gelt1785
grease1823
boodle?1856
soap1860
ice1887
palm-grease1897
poultice1902
fix1929
dropsy1930
pay-off1930
drop1931
oil1935
squeeze-pidgin1946
sling1948
bung1958
back-hander1960
1960 D. Storey This Sporting Life ii. iii. 207 That's how he hopes to get the car—from the backhander he'll get.
1962 J. Tunstall Fishermen iv. 109 A boy who helps with a few odd jobs..can collect £5 or more in backhanders.
1962 J. Tunstall Fishermen v. 125 Since the man's ability does not seem to qualify him, he is..suspected of having won the job by giving a backhander.
1968 Listener 7 Mar. 295/1 A bit of a backhander and, boy, you're in.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1885; most recently modified version published online March 2019).
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n.1803