Handy-blows, (or cuffs), subs. (old).—Cuffs with the hand; fisticuffs; hence close quarters. 1603. Knolles, Hist. of the Turkes. If ever they came to handy-blows. 1690. B. E., Cant. Crew, s.v. Handy Blows, Fistycuffs. 1725. New Cant. Dict., s.v. Handy-man, subs. (colloquial).—A servant or workman doing odd jobs. 1847. De Quincey, The Spanish Military Nun, Wks. (1890), xiii., 165. She was a handy girl. She could turn her hand to anything. 1872. Times, 27 Aug. ‘Autumn Manœuvres.’ The result is he cannot be called a handy-man. 1889. Pall Mall Gaz., 8 Nov., p. 2, c. 1. Again did Mr. Sambourne’s handy-man appear, this time clad in the real robes of the Lord Mayor. 1892. Hume Nisbet, Bushranger’s Sweetheart, p. 55. He was a handy-man. Hang, subs. (colloquial).—1. The general drift, tendency, or bent: as in to get the hang of = to get conversant with; to acquire the trick, or knack, or knowledge of. 1847. Darley, Drama in Pokerville, p. 67. The theatre was cleared in an instant ... all running to get the hang of the scrape. 1848. Jones, Sketches of Travel, p. 70. By this time I began to git the hang of the place a little better. 1851. Hooper, Widow Rugby’s Husband, etc., p. 64. To be efficient a solicitor must get the hang of his customers. a. 1871. Prime, Hist. of Long Island, p. 82. If ever you must have an indifferent teacher for your children, let it be after they have got a fair start and have acquired the hang of the tools for themselves. 1884. Milliken, Punch, 11 Oct. They ain’t got the ’ang of it, Charlie, the toffs ain’t. 1890. Daily Chronicle, 4 Apr., p. 7 c. 2. When the Raw Cadet enters Woolwich Academy, it is sometime before he gets what some call the hang of the place. 1892. Illustrated Bits, Oct. 22, p. 6. c. 2. When I get the hang of them I shall be a regular dab at theosophy. 2. (colloquial).—A little bit; a bit; a Damn. See Care. Fr., s’en contreficher or s’en tamponner le coquard (or coquillard). 1861. H. Kingsley, Ravenshoe, ch. xliii. She looks as well as you by candle-light, but she can’t ride a hang. Verb (generally Hang it!).—An exclamation of vexation, disgust, or disappointment; also, more forcibly, a euphemism for Damn it! Fr., Ah! mince alors. 1598. Shakspeare, 2 Henry IV., ii., 4. He a good wit? hang him, baboon! 1609. Jonson, Epicœne, ii., 2. A mere talking mole, hang him. 1614. Jonson, Bartholomew Fair, v. 3. Ay, and be hanged. 1694. Dunton, Ladies’ Dict., p. 229. Aristænetus telling a brisk buxom Lass of a proper fine Man that would make her a good Husband, Hang him [reply’d she] he has no Mony. 1772. Coles, Eng.-Lat. Dict., s.v. Hanged. Go and be hanged. 1780. Mrs. Cowley, Belle’s Stratagem, iv., 1. Hang Harriet, and Charlotte, and Maria! the name your father gave ye?