Dictionary

handshaker en · NOUN

Etymology

From hand + shaker.

Meanings

1. One who gives a handshake.
   • A potentially great statesman is not likely to be by natural inclination an enthusiastic, grinning, and indefatigable handshaker, babykisser and small-talkie walkie; yet, no one who is not an enthusiastic, grinning, and indefatigable handshaker, babykisser and small-talkie walkie can become a great statesman, if it is up to the man in the street, the man on the road, the man on the dirt road, and the man in the blind alley — the electorate, in short. 1960, James Boyer May, Trace - Issues 35-43, page 27:
   • Rough handshaker — He wants to appear tough and outgoing. He may be trying to hide his own feelings of insecurity. 1973, James Joseph Thompson, Beyond words, page 145:
2. (US, slang) A deceitful person, a swindler.

Forms