Lost the handle

Posted by Brian from Shawnee on January 23, 2005

In Reply to: Lost the handle posted by David FG on January 23, 2005

: : : 'lost the handle'- used often by basketball sportscasters when a player loses control of the ball while dribbling or passing.

: : : SR

: : the metaphor of a handle is pervasive. How many times have you searched to find the handle to solve a problem? "I'm trying to get a handle on this issue"
: : In the western US, people have an additional handle -- their name. 'My handle is Truckee Bob'.

: Didn't know about the western US but that usage is (or used to be) common in the UK, where it also means a title.

: DFG

"Handle" as a synonym for "nickname" was popular throughout the U.S. during the CB (Citizens' Band) radio craze of the 1970's.

Also, the phrase "couldn't find the handle" is common in baseball when, for example an infielder can't pick up the ball when trying to make a bare-hand play.