panhandle2

[pan-han-dl] /ˈpænˌhæn dl/
verb (used without object), panhandled, panhandling.
1.
to accost passers-by on the street and beg from them.
verb (used with object), panhandled, panhandling.
2.
to accost and beg from.
3.
to obtain by accosting and begging from someone.
Origin
1895-1900, Americanism; back formation from panhandler; so called from the resemblance of the extended arm to a panhandle1
Related forms
panhandler, noun
Examples from the web for panhandler
  • Tells how he bought a handmade sign from a homeless panhandler.
  • The decision to give to a panhandler is purely an individual decision.
  • The police later arrest the panhandler after running a warrant check during a subsequent encounter.
  • Most of these were roadside panhandler bear-related injuries.
British Dictionary definitions for panhandler

panhandle1

/ˈpænˌhændəl/
noun
1.
(sometimes capital) (in the US) a narrow strip of land that projects from one state into another
2.
(in a South African city) a plot of land without street frontage

panhandle2

/ˈpænˌhændəl/
verb
1.
(US & Canadian, informal) to accost and beg from (passers-by), esp on the street
Derived Forms
panhandler, noun
Word Origin
C19: probably a back formation from panhandler a person who begs with a pan
Word Origin and History for panhandler
n.

"one who begs," 1893, from panhandle (n.) in begging sense. Related: Panhandled; panhandler; panhandling.

panhandle

n.

"something resembling the handle of a pan," 1851, from pan (n.) + handle (n.). Especially in reference to geography, originally American English, from 1856, in reference to Virginia (now West Virginia; Florida, Texas, Idaho, Oklahoma, and Alaska also have them). Meaning "an act of begging" is attested from 1849, perhaps from notion of arm stuck out like a panhandle, or of one who handles a (beggar's) pan.

v.

"to beg," 1888, from panhandle (n.) in the begging sense. Related: Panhandled; panhandling.

Slang definitions & phrases for panhandler

panhandler

noun

A person who begs, esp by accosting people on the street; beggar: This panhandler came up to me and braced me

[1897+; fr the stiff arm held out by the beggar]


panhandle

verb

To beg, esp by accosting people on the street: The boys deal drugs or panhandle, even become male prostitutes

[1903+; fr panhandler]