subs. (common).—1. The nose. For synonyms, see CONK.
1811. GROSE and CLARKE, Lexicon Balatronicum. The cove flashes a rare HANDLE to his physog; the fellow has a large nose.
1887. Modern Society, 27 Aug., 864. A restless, intriguing, and busy old lady, with an immense HANDLE to her face.
2. (colloquial).—A title. Fr., une queue, as Monsieur Sansqueue = Mr. Nobody.
1855. THACKERAY, The Newcomes, xxiii. She … entertained us with stories of colonial-governors and their ladies, mentioning no persons but those who had HANDLES to their names, as the phrase is.
1857. DUCANGE ANGLICUS, pseud. The Vulgar Tongue. HANDLE, n. Title. ‘Oh, you want a HANDLE to your name.’
1871. London Figaro, 17 June, ‘The plaint of a poor Parson.’ Neither he nor his clerical neighbours—unless they belong to county families, or have HANDLES to their names—have ever been invited by the Dean to partake of the hospitalities of the Deanery.
1886. J. S. WINTER, Army Society, ch. ii. That’s the worst of having a HANDLE to one’s name.
1891. Licensed Victuallers’ Gazette, 16 Jan. Here’s the Honourable Tom Jones, and Lord Smith, and Viscount Brown—that’s them, with the HANDLES knocked off their names.
1892. W. E. HENLEY and R. L. STEVENSON, Deacon Brodie, i., 2. He was aye ettling after a bit HANDLE to his name.
3. (colloquial).—Occasion; opportunity; means.
1753–77. MELMOTH, Cicero, bk. ii., let. 17 (note 5). The defence of Vatinius gave a plausible HANDLE for some censure upon Cicero.
Verb (card-sharpers’).—1. To conceal cards in the palm of the hand, or up the sleeves; TO PALM (q.v.).
2. (colloquial).—To use; to make use of; to manage.
1606. CHAPMAN, The Gentleman Usher, iii., 5. Now let the sport begin: I think my love will it HANDLE him as well as I have done.
1811. GROSE and CLARKE, Lexicon Balatronicum, s.v. HANDLE. To know how to HANDLE one’s fists; to be skilful in the art of boxing.
1836. DICKENS, Pickwick Papers, ii., 7. Smart chap that cabman—HANDLED his fives well.
1892. W. E. HENLEY and R. L. STEVENSON, Admiral Guinea, ii., 5. Commander, you HANDLED him like a babby, kept the weather gauge, and hulled him every shot.
TO HANDLE THE RIBBONS, verb. phr. (common).—To drive.
1857. W. T. MONCRIEFF, The Bashful Man, II. 4. Shouldn’t have any objection in life, squire, to let you HANDLE THE RIBANDS for a stage or two, but four-in-hand, you know, requires——.
1872. Evening Standard, 10 Aug. The Princess of Wales is expected, and her Royal Highness has several times during the week driven through the town in an open phaeton, drawn by four beautiful ponies, and she appears TO HANDLE THE RIBBONS in a very skilful manner.
1891. N. GOULD, The Double Event, p. 198. It was agreed Marston should HANDLE THE RIBBONS.
1892. MILLIKEN, ’Arry Ballads, p. 32. He ’ANDLED THE RIBBINGS to rights.
TO FLY OFF THE HANDLE. See FLY, to which add the following earlier quot.
1825. NEAL, Brother Jonathan, bk. I., ch. iv. Most OFF THE HANDLE, some o’ the tribe, I guess.
