dishpan hands en · NOUN
Pronunciation
- (Australia) audio
Etymology
Possibly coined circa mid-1920s for the advertising of Lever Brothers "Lux" brand dishwashing soap.
Meanings
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(idiomatic, plural, plural-only) Hands which are rough, reddish, and dry, as from irritation and chafing caused by immersion in hot water mixed with detergent.
Avoid dishpan hands. Those 1950s sitcom moms had it right (and probably had lovely hands): Wear rubber gloves while cleaning and doing dishes.
2007 February 18, H. E. Thomas, M. Thomas, “5 Ways to Combat Cold-Weather Hands”, in Washington Post, retrieved 30 Jul 2009:
Translations (1)
sv skurhänder (rough hands)