# ham-fisted

> English word · Adjective · IPA /ˈhæmˌfɪstɪd/

## Definitions
1. Lacking skill in physical movement with the hands; clumsy.
2. Lacking skill in general; incompetent.

## Etymology
From ham (“thigh and buttock of an animal slaughtered for meat”) + fisted (adjective), probably referring to someone being clumsy as if they have hams at the end of their arms instead of hands.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-09-03.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/ham-fisted