1. (v) to solicit for money on the street in lieu of working; to beg
2. (n) a long, slender projection from a larger parcel of land as delineated on a map
1. He panhandles passersby daily at Union Square and has only been arrested twice.
2. The panhandle of Florida is also known as the Redneck Riviera.
The panhandle of Oklahoma is in the middle of Tornado Alley.
Also referred to begging, sponging, spanging. Aggressive panhandling involves the solicitation of donations in an inappropriate and intimidating manner. This is not mugging, but rather a "borderline" activity which is often prohibited by law.
Etymology:
back-formation from panhandler, probably from panhandle, noun; from the extended forearm
Date:
1894
intransitive verb : to stop people on the street and ask for food or money : beg transitive verb 1 : to accost on the street and beg from 2 : to get by panhandling
"Hey did you see that bum panhandling. His sign said, 'My Father was Killed by Ninjas, Need Money for Karate lessons.' He would be better off with a bottle of JackDaniels and vial of crack."
