panhandle

¹

[pan-han-dl]

noun

1. the handle of a pan.

2. (sometimes initial capital letter),  a long, narrow, projecting strip of territory that is not a peninsula, especially such a part of a specified state.

   the panhandle of Alaska; the Texas and Oklahoma panhandles.

panhandle

²

[pan-han-dl]

verb (used without object)

panhandled, panhandling 

1. to accost passers-by on the street, riders on the subway, motorists stopped at red lights, etc., and beg from them.

verb (used with object)

panhandled, panhandling 

1. to accost and beg from.

2. to obtain by accosting and begging from someone.

panhandle

¹

/ 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

panhandle

²

/ ˈpænˌhændəl /

verb

1. informal,  to accost and beg from (passers-by), esp on the street

Other Word Forms

• panhandler noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of panhandle¹

First recorded in 1855–60; pan ¹ + handle

Origin of panhandle²

An Americanism first recorded in 1885–90; so called from the resemblance of the extended arm to a panhandle ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of panhandle¹

C19: probably a back formation from panhandler a person who begs with a pan

Example Sentences

“When neighborhoods are plagued by issues such as aggressive panhandling, unruly street vending, public urination, abandoned vehicles, it gives the impression of an unsafe community,” she said in January.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

“When neighborhoods are plagued by issues such as aggressive panhandling, unruly street vending, public urination, abandoned vehicles, it gives the impression of an unsafe community,” Ms. Tisch said in January.

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In the age of artificial intelligence, it turns out that owning 5,700 acres of land in the Texas panhandle can outweigh having no revenue to speak of.

Read more on Barron's

The couple had recently moved from the remote ranching town of Stinnett in the Texas panhandle, and the recruiter seemed to appreciate their Southern drawl.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The opening scene, for instance, sees Mike panhandling on a busy street and completely being ignored by passersby.

Read more on Los Angeles Times