handsies
Unwanted physical contact
Handsies is playful slang for using one's hands, typically in contexts where touching is discouraged or competitive.
Children invoke it in games: no handsies allowed.
Adults use it humorously about physical affection or wandering hands: They were playing handsies under the table.
The diminutive -sies suffix gives it a childish, teasing quality.
Emphasizing emotions and contact
- handsyOverly touchy, unwelcomely
- grabbyEager to seize
- gropingSearching by touch alone
- pawingClumsy, grabby touching
fondling · caressing · stroking · petting · cuddling · snuggling · nuzzling · flirty
touchy-feely
Emphasizing emotions and contact
pawing · fondling · caressing · stroking · petting · cuddling · snuggling · nuzzling · flirty · coy
patty-cake
Rhythmic hand-clapping game
- cootiesPretend childhood contagion
- tagIdentifier or classifier
- tickleTouch provoking involuntary laughter
giggles · sandbox · playdough · silliness · playdate · nursery · kindergarten · peekaboo · fingerplay
grabby
Eager to seize
hoarding · clutching · grasping · coveting · greedy · selfish · territorial · keep-away
handsieshands-off
Not directly involved
no touching · look but don't touch · hands off · no contact · distanced
handsieshands-off
Not directly involved
contactless · at arm's length · distant · removed · standoffish
handsieshands-off
Not directly involved
laissez-faire · delegating · detached · uninvolved · passive
hand, hands, handed, handing, handy, handily, handiness, handful, handfuls