dishpan hands

plural noun

1. hands, especially of one who does housework, that are red and rough, as from washing dishes and exposure to strong cleaning agents.

Word History and Origins

Origin of dishpan hands¹

First recorded in 1940–45

Example Sentences

“I get dishpan hands in the lab,” Griffin jokes.

From The Guardian

“Television viewers, at least those who don’t tune out their minds during commercials,” The New York Times reported in a 1968 article that featured Ms. Allen, “are now beginning to learn that Negroes can worry about dentures, dishpan hands and bad breath just as everyone else in TV land seems to.”

From New York Times

With such snags and so many features introduced in the previous three entries left out this time, there’s an unshakeable feeling while playing “The Sims 4” that even though the Sims have evolved, something still isn’t quite right about them, and it ain’t just their dishpan hands.

From Washington Times

“It saves water, it saves energy and you don’t get dishpan hands.”

From New York Times

Dishpan hands these days go for Procter & Gamble's lucid Liquid Ivory -- clear soap in a clear bottle -- over white Ivory detergent.

From Time Magazine Archive