backhanded

Backhanded is an English adjective describing action performed with the back of the hand, or more commonly, a backhand stroke in racket sports. In tennis, table tennis, and racquetball, a backhand shot is produced by swinging the racket across the body from the non-dominant side, and may be executed with one or two hands. Variants include backhand slices and topspin backhands, reflecting different trajectories and grip styles. The term can describe both the technique and the resulting ball flight.

In a figurative sense, backhanded is used to characterize a form of praise that also contains an insult, known as a backhanded compliment. This rhetorical device appears flattering while indirectly undermining the recipient, often relying on sarcasm or subtle inconsistency. Its intent can be ambiguous, and interpretations may depend on context, tone, and the relationship between speaker and listener.

Etymologically, the term draws from the notion of using the back of the hand, as opposed to a forehand action. In sports writing, backhanded describes the action when the non-dominant side is engaged; in rhetoric and criticism, it denotes a figure of speech that conveys offense under the guise of appraisal.

In practice, backhanded appears in both athletic and linguistic discussions, with meaning shaped by whether the reference is to a physical technique or to a form of critique disguised as praise.