Panhandle
/ˈpænˌhændəl/noun
A long, narrow projection of a territory or region; also, to beg for money in public.
Did you know?The begging sense of panhandle comes from the image of someone holding out a hand as if asking for coins, while the geographic sense was coined because the narrow strip of land resembles a pan’s handle.
Etymological Timeline
Old English
OE
panna
“a pan or cooking vessel”
Old English
OE
handle
“a grip or part by which something is held”
19th Century
English
panhandle
“a long narrow strip of land attached to a larger region”
19th Century
English
panhandle
“to beg for money in public, especially by holding out one’s hand”
Modern English
English
panhandle
“a territorial projection or the act of soliciting alms in public”