Underhand for Dummies

Underhand is a word that can be used in a couple of different ways, but I'll start with the most common meaning. When we say "underhand," it usually refers to a specific way of throwing or catching objects, like a ball. Imagine you have a ball in your hand and instead of throwing it overarm or using your whole arm to throw it, you throw it using only a small upper body movement with your hand below your shoulder level. That's what we call an underhand throw or catch. It's a lot like how you might gently toss a piece of paper into a trash can without moving your arm much.

Another way we can use the word "underhand" has a different meaning. When someone acts in an underhand way, it means they act in a sneaky, deceitful, or dishonest manner. It's a bit like playing a game where everyone agrees to follow the rules, but one person secretly breaks them to gain an unfair advantage. This kind of behavior is considered underhand because it's done in a hidden or subtle way, without others noticing or understanding what's happening.

So, to sum it up, "underhand" can mean throwing or catching in a certain way, using a subtle or sneaky method, or acting in a deceitful manner. It's really interesting how one word can have different meanings depending on the context, isn't it?