Why is it called a gladhand?

transitive verb

intransitive verb

glad-hander

ˈglad-ˌhan-dər 

Recent Examples on the Web Arguably the most notorious figure from the game’s most storied rivalry flew from his South Florida home to Boston for Tuesday night’s game and was expected to glad hand a few Yankees before, for many of them, the biggest game of their lives.

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'glad-hand.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use

Verb

1903, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Noun

circa 1895, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

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Style

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“Glad-hand.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/glad-hand. Accessed 4 Dec. 2022.

Google Translate is a third-party tool, and is not owned or administered by SGI. SGI is not responsible for any errors or omissions as a result of the translation. In case of a difference in interpretation between the translated version and the laws and regulations governing Saskatchewan drivers and vehicles, the laws and regulations prevail.

This term refers to the coupling device used to connect the service and supply lines of the trailer to the truck or tractor. These couplers have a snap-lock position and a rubber seal that prevents air from escaping.

Before connection is made, couplers should be clean and free of dirt and grit. When connecting the glad hands, start with the two seals together and the couplers at a 90-degree angle to each other. A quick, downward snap will join and lock the couplers. Vehicles equipped with dead-end couplers should have protection plates in use whenever the vehicle is used without a trailer. This will prevent water and dirt from entering the coupler and lines.

If the unit is not equipped with dead-end couplers, the glad hand of the service line can be locked to the glad hand of the supply line to keep water and dirt from entering the unused lines. The cleaner the air supply is kept, the less chance of brake problems.

Glad hands and lines should also be secured to prevent the line from bouncing off the vehicle. This could seriously damage the couplers.

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1. Sep 25, 2007 #1

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7. Sep 29, 2007 #5

   I was feeling much better about my glad hands working and not falling apart on me til seeing where the meaning came from

   

   Actually, I didn't go into detail on the definition. The part I omitted was that "Glad-Handing" generally meant insincerity or half-heartedness on the part of the Politician who is shaking hands.

   That just about describes politicians, doesn't it?

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12. Oct 9, 2007 #10

    Hmmm....and I thought a glad hand was just an overly-happy truck driver...whodathunkit?

    

    And I thought it was a CB term. "Hand" Like, I JUST GOT A RAISE IN PAY! Well,...............I'm GLAD, HAND. The things one can learn on a Big truck trucker's trucking (related) site.

    

    

    

    10-4?

    OLDSKOOLERnWV Thanks this.