What does backhanding mean?
'Backhanding' is the act of striking with the back of the hand rather than the palm, whether as a blow delivered to a person or object, or as a stroke executed in sport. The term derives from 'backhand', which combines the notion of reversal (the back) with the body part used (the hand). In everyday speech, describing someone as backhanding another person suggests not only physical force but often disdain, since the back of the hand is associated with dismissive, insulting blows. In tennis and hockey, by contrast, the word is entirely neutral and technical: a backhand is simply a stroke played on the non-dominant side of the body, and skilled players are admired for the power and precision of their backhanding. The word belongs to a small family that includes 'backhanded', describing indirect or ironic remarks, and the British colloquial 'backhander', meaning a bribe.
noun (gerund of the verb backhand)The action of striking someone or something with the back of the hand; more broadly, any blow or stroke delivered with a backhand motion.
- Striking someone or something with the back of the hand.
- Delivering a backhand stroke, especially in sports such as tennis or hockey.
"The referee penalised the player for backhanding his opponent across the face."
"Witnesses reported him backhanding the door in frustration."
"Her crisp backhanding from the baseline kept her opponent pinned behind it."
In tennis, the backhand was long considered the weak shot — until players like Novak Djokovic turned it into one of the most feared strokes in the game.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of backhanding
'Backhanding' is the gerund of 'backhand', a compound of 'back' and 'hand' formed in English. The term emerged in English in the early modern period, first describing blows dealt with the back of the hand before extending to sports terminology, notably racket sports such as tennis. It shares its 'hand' element with many native English compounds such as 'beforehand', 'underhand', and 'handful', all built on the Old English root 'hand'.
Related word forms
How backhanding is actually used
As a gerund/noun form, 'backhanding' is less common than the base verb 'backhand'. In sporting contexts it is neutral and technical; when describing a physical blow to a person, it carries connotations of contempt or casual violence, since a back-of-the-hand strike is often seen as demeaning.
Easily confused with backhanding
A 'backhander' is primarily British slang for a bribe or an indirect compliment, whereas 'backhanding' refers to the act of striking with the back of the hand.
'Backhanded' most commonly describes an indirect or sarcastic remark (a backhanded compliment), while 'backhanding' denotes the physical act of delivering a backhand blow.