Dictionary

backhanded compliment en · NOUN

Pronunciation

• (Australia) audio

Etymology

Compound of backhanded + compliment. Similar figurative uses of backhanded are attested from at least the early 19th century.

Meanings

1. (idiomatic) An insult disguised as a compliment; a compliment which can be interpreted as an insult.
   • Perhaps, finally, the Netherlands will shed itself of the backhanded compliment of being the best team never to win a world championship. 1998 June 29, Jere Longman, “World Cup '98: Dutch Fans Are Orange (Hair, Dresses, Clogs and Faces) With Envy”, in New York Times, retrieved 07 Oct 2013:
   • In a backhanded compliment, Markopolos said the SEC is a "bad regulator, but the best of a very sorry lot." 2009 February 4, Robert Chew, “A Madoff Whistle-Blower Tells His Story”, in Time, retrieved 07 Oct 2013:
   • "[…] regardless of what he may say to you, he respects your great learning, and, therefore, has immense confidence in your judgment. The poor dear cannot differentiate between erudition and wisdom." Mr. Philander, with a mildly puzzled expression on his face, turned to pursue Professor Porter, and in his mind he was revolving the question of whether he should feel complimented or aggrieved at Miss Porter's rather back-handed compliment. 1914, Edgar Rice Burroughs, chapter 17, in Tarzan of the Apes:

Forms

Relateds

damn with faint praise

Synonyms

asteism · left-handed compliment · poisoned compliment · poisonous compliment

Translations (7)

de vergiftetes Kompliment (insult disguised as a compliment) · th หลอกด่า (insult disguised as a compliment) · ja 褒め殺し (insult disguised as a compliment) · de zweifelhaftes Kompliment (insult disguised as a compliment) · pl dwuznaczny komplement (insult disguised as a compliment) · de zweideutiges Kompliment (insult disguised as a compliment) · es crítica velada (insult disguised as a compliment)