Do you know what a left-handed compliment is? Have you ever given one or received one?

Reference 1:

Back-handed compliment or left-handed compliment :

Meaning: A compliment that also insults or puts down at the same time.

Example: They gave me a back-handed compliment when they said I was smart for a girl.

Origin: Back-handed is synonymous with left-handed. For example in tennis, a backhand stroke is a strike by a right-handed player from the left side of the body.

The left side of the body has always been deemed sinister. The Latin word for left is sinestra. Hence, back-handed means round-about, indirect, or devious.

In America, left handed people were once considered suspect and untrustworthy. Until the 1960's many people who were naturally left handed were encouraged as children to use their right hand for tasks and were taught to be right handed.

Reference 2:

A back-handed compliment or left-handed compliment or asteism is an insult disguised as a compliment. It is generally used to belittle or condescend, or often one uses a back-handed compliment when one wants to insult someone in a subtle way.

An example of a back-handed compliment would be to tell a woman "I very much like your dress. It does wonders for your figure." In doing so it would seem on the surface that one is complimenting the woman's choice in clothing, and perhaps even her figure, but closer examination reveals that what one is saying is that the woman's figure is unattractive and needs assistance from a garment in order to be improved. In this fashion one has not complimented the woman, but in fact the garment's ability to slenderize.

Sometimes a back-handed compliment can be more obvious, combining an obvious compliment with an equally obvious insult. It could be argued that this is a less skillful execution of the technique. One might for instance say "You are an excellent artist, which is a relief considering what a poor cook you are!" In this fashion no part of the intent has been veiled, yet the insult may still be softened enough to make the entire statement seem like a compliment.

Back-handed compliments are not always intentional. The speaker may intend to pay a compliment, but in so doing accidentally reveal feelings that are not so complimentary.

Other examples: "I want to be just like you when I get old"; "You're not as dumb as I thought".

Reference 3:

Also, back-handed compliment. An insult in the guise of an expression of praise. For example, She said she liked my hair, but it turned out to be a left-handed compliment when she asked how long I'd been dyeing it. This expression uses left-handed in the sense of "questionable or doubtful," a usage dating from about 1600.

Left Handed Compliment

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RE:

Do you know what a left-handed compliment is? Have you ever given one or received one?

A let handed compliment is kinda like a compliment said in a mean sort of way...I dont remember if I have ever given one or recieved one though...

A compliment with two meanings, one of which is unflattering to the receiver: “The senator said that her opponent was quite competent for someone so inexperienced; you hear nothing but left-handed compliments in these debates.”

It is a "Compliment that was meant as an insult. It's like someone saying (in a sarcastic tone) "Boy, that's some outfit!"

and what they mean is "that's an outfit that probably came from a trash can and should have stayed there!"

At least your question isn't as stupid as the ones that ask why do atheists have no morals !

Once I was told "You look good in the dark." Does that count?

idk what a left handed compliment is.

i get back-handed compliments sometimes. a lot of insincere people in my life.

yes

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yes