Meaning: Insult disguised as a compliment (definition)(thesaurus).

Example: He delivered a backhanded compliment by insulting her on the strength of her perfume. (Example.)

Origin: As a synonym for left-handed and the left side of the body considered sinister. (Source.)


Rewrites: a knuckle-backed compliment back handed kudos aced an insult a flutter-eyed compliment a slight served to your weak side a slap delivered with a left-handed wink
Discussion: (1) Here, “weak side” and “back hand” can apply to either left-handedness or right-handedness. (2) Also used as "back handed comment."