| 释义 |
Definition of handy-dandy in English: handy-dandy(also handy-bandy, handy-pandy) noun ˌhandɪˈdandi 1A children's game in which a small object is passed between the hands by one of the players, and, the hands being suddenly closed, the other player is required to guess in which hand the object remains, sometimes with the reward for a correct guess of keeping it. Now historical. 2Figurative and in figurative contexts. "to play (at) handy-dandy": to act secretively or frivolously. 3Exchange of one position or thing for another, especially in a rapid or continuous manner.
adverb ˌhandɪˈdandi With (rapid) alternation of place, position, status, etc.; alternately, in turn.
exclamation ˌhandɪˈdandi Used in offering a choice, usually implying that the options are easy to confuse, or so similar that it makes no difference which is chosen.
adjective ˌhandɪˈdandi US informal Used for emphasis: especially handy or useful; wonderfully convenient.
OriginLate Middle English (in an earlier sense). Reduplication of hand
early 20th century; earliest use found in The Galveston Daily News. Either reduplication (with variation of initial consonant) of handy, perhaps influenced by dandy, or from handy + dandy, to form a rhyming compound. Definition of handy-dandy in US English: handy-dandy(also handy-bandy, handy-pandy) nounˌhandɪˈdandi 1A children's game in which a small object is passed between the hands by one of the players, and, the hands being suddenly closed, the other player is required to guess in which hand the object remains, sometimes with the reward for a correct guess of keeping it. Now historical. 2Figurative and in figurative contexts. "to play (at) handy-dandy": to act secretively or frivolously. 3Exchange of one position or thing for another, especially in a rapid or continuous manner.
adverbˌhandɪˈdandi With (rapid) alternation of place, position, status, etc.; alternately, in turn.
exclamationˌhandɪˈdandi Used in offering a choice, usually implying that the options are easy to confuse, or so similar that it makes no difference which is chosen.
adjectiveˌhandɪˈdandi US informal Used for emphasis: especially handy or useful; wonderfully convenient.
OriginLate Middle English (in an earlier sense). Reduplication of hand<br>early 20th century; earliest use found in The Galveston Daily News. Either reduplication (with variation of initial consonant) of handy, perhaps influenced by dandy, or from handy + dandy, to form a rhyming compound. |