verb (used with object)
- to greet warmly.
- to greet in an insincerely effusive manner.
verb (used without object)
- to greet others with enthusiasm, especially feigned enthusiasm: The candidate spent weeks glad-handing around the state.
noun Informal.
- a hearty welcome or enthusiastic reception, especially one that is effusive or hypocritical: Visiting dignitaries were being given the glad hand.
noun
-
- a welcoming hand
- a welcome
verb glad-hand
- (tr) to welcome by or as if by offering a hand
1895, in verbal phrase to give the glad hand “extend a welcome.” As a verb, attested from 1903 (also gladhand). Often used cynically.
A warm and hearty but often insincere welcome or greeting, as in Politicians are apt to give the glad hand to one and all. [Slang; late 1800s]