gripping hand n.
on the gripping hand: used to introduce a third point of view, fact, case, etc., that contrasts with two previous statements
[< on the third hand, extension of on the one hand…on the other hand, after the Moties, a race of aliens in the Larry Niven & Jerry Pournelle novel The Mote in God’s Eye (1974) and related works, who have two dextrous hands used for fine work and a third powerful hand for gripping and other strength-based tasks]
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[1974
Larry Niven
Jerry Pournelle
bibliography
It left the Motie standing comically on vacuum, its big left hand gripping a ring that jutted out from the hull.]
Mote in God’s Eye 167 -
1986
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Jerry Pournelle
On the other hand, when I check with knowledgeable friends, they say they haven’t really solved the problem either. On the gripping hand, as the Moties say, I know it can be done.
in Byte June 296/2 -
1993
Larry Niven
Jerry Pournelle
bibliography
On the one hand, if they shimmy too hard, they may be diseased. On the other, if they don’t shimmy, they haven’t eaten well. On the gripping hand, if they’re too young and healthy they will escape and attempt to eat you.
Gripping Hand 7 -
2005
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John Ringo
bibliography
On the gripping hand, we’re planning on feeding them to our dragons.
Emerald Sea 446 -
2008 EDN Magazine 10 Jan. 12/1
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Engineers, on the gripping hand, know that the glass is too large.
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2010
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Eric Flint
Marilyn Kosmatka
bibliography
On the gripping hand…it was difficult to imagine Margo at a Manhattan socialite’s cocktail party.
Time Spike 402
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2017
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On the one hand it wants to keep SRT as a ‘high-end’ feature (even though it’s the low-end and mid-range audience that stands to yield the most benefit from SRT). On the other hand, it wants to maximize the potential demand for Optane. And on the gripping hand, it wants to create an extra incentive to upgrade to Kaby Lake.
Intel Optane Memory in arstechnica.com 24 Apr.
Research requirements
antedating 1986
Research History
Suggested by Bill Mullins
Last modified 2021-07-14 16:44:57
In the compilation of some
entries, HDSF has drawn extensively on corresponding entries
in OED.