Underhand
/ˌʌndərˈhænd/noun
Done secretly or deceitfully; also, done with the hand below shoulder level.
Did you know?The secrecy sense of underhand is a metaphorical extension from the physical idea of doing something with the hand held low or out of sight, and English later used it for covert or dishonest action.
Etymological Timeline
Old English
OE
under
“below, beneath, under”
Old English
OE
hand
“hand”
Middle English
ME
under hand
“literally, with the hand below; in a lower or concealed position”
16th Century
English
underhand
“done in a covert, indirect, or sneaky way”
Modern English
English
underhand
“secret, deceitful, or performed with the hand below shoulder level”