A compliment with two meanings, one of which is unflattering to the receiver: “The senator said that her opponent was quite competent for someone so inexperienced; you hear nothing but left-handed compliments in these debates.”
Meaning of left-handed compliment in English
a remark that seems to say something pleasant about someone but could also be an insult: Right in the middle of the review is a left-handed compliment: the critic praises the actor for his "startling career departure."
A left-handed compliment is a criticism couched as a compliment, a compliment with two meanings, one of which is unflattering to the receiver. It is also known as a backhanded compliment. Examples: You are very competent for someone so inexperienced. That dress is really sharp.
noun. : a compliment that implies it is not really a compliment at all. She paid me a backhanded compliment when she said my work was "surprisingly good."
The friend or supervisor tells the other person “You know what boss, superintendent, leader, etc. told me the other day?” This is called a 2nd hand compliment. It tends to be a better way to compliment someone than the direct compliment.
“You look great!” is a flattering compliment to receive but tacking on “…for your age” to the tail-end may backfire. This can be taken as a form of ageism, or “the stereotyping, prejudice, and discrimination against people on the basis of their age” according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
So what is a double-sided compliment? A double sided compliment, is giving the girl a vague compliment, and then adding to it a DETAILED sentence that will translate as: “but there is room for improvement “ or. “but I have seen better” without, of course actually using those words.
“If the right side of the brain controls the left side of the body, then only left-handed people are in their right minds.” “Everyone is born right-handed. Only the greatest overcome it.” “Lefties Rule.”
A glowing description or opinion about someone or something praises them highly or supports them strongly.
Aussie Word of the Week
A mollydooker is a slang term for a left-handed person. In use since the 1930s, mollydooker probably came from British dialect brought to Australia in the early twentieth century.
Left-handed people are said to be good at complex reasoning, resulting in a high number of lefty Noble Prize winners, writers, artists, musicians, architects and mathematicians. According to research published in the American Journal of Psychology, lefties appear to be better at divergent thinking.
Being left-handed also has its perks, including: Left-handed people are at an advantage in a wide range of sports, from fencing to boxing. The sporting advantage also includes taking the right-handed opponent by surprise, because right-handed athletes aren't used to playing against left-handed opponents.
Genuine compliments build relationships, improve communication, motivate people, and boost one's self-esteem and self-confidence. Families can practice giving and receiving compliments by making a specific time to do so. Perhaps it's before or after dinner, or before a family meeting.
In broad terms, it's sometimes known as a "backhanded compliment." An example would be, "I like your dress, it almost fits you." The compliment-insult, or complisult, first sets you up, trusting the person ever so slightly. He's saying something nice to me, you think.
Backhanded compliments oftentimes are the intersection of passive aggression and jealousy. Sometimes known as “non-compliments” or “disguised insults” these statements are actually subtle insults intended to ultimately put down the person being addressed, without seeming directly mean spirited.
Results showed that participants who were perceived to be five years younger than their actual age were shown to have better cognitive or thinking skills. They were also 25% less likely to suffer from age-related morbidities such as cataracts.
Skin brightening treatments, like Microdermabrasion, Light Peels, Micro Laser Peels, or the Clear & Brilliant Laser treatment all help patients to look 10 years younger or more, with just a few treatments. These treatments can be used in order to combat the signs of aging in the face, such as: Wrinkles. Age spots.
According to a survey by Allure magazine, the consensus was that men look their best at age 34, while women hit their peak of attractiveness at 30.
You Have Low Self-Esteem
A new research study published in the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, found that people with low self-esteem have the most difficulty accepting compliments.
“People have trouble accepting compliments for a number of reasons. Sometimes, it's tied to social anxiety. It can also be caused by feelings of low self-esteem, or by going through life without experiencing positive feelings of gratitude,” explains Lisa Schuman, a New York–based social worker.
Narcissists are always looking for ways to make themselves feel superior to others, and one way they do this is through backhanded compliments. They will use language carefully so that what they are saying sounds positive at first but is then turned into an insult.