“Slight of hand” or “sleight of hand”: which is correct?
The short answer
Sleight of hand is the correct phrase. It refers to a magician’s skillful use of hand movements to perform tricks or illusions. The word sleight is derived from an Old Norse term meaning cunning or skill. It’s important to use sleight instead of slight because slight generally means small in degree or insignificant, which doesn’t convey the intended meaning of skill or dexterity.
Why people get it wrong
People often incorrectly hear or remember the phrase sleight of hand as slight of hand because sleight is less commonly used in everyday language and sounds similar to the more common word slight.
What kind of mistake it is
Spelling error and homophone mistake
Examples with sleight of hand
- The magician amazed the audience with his sleight of hand, making the coin disappear.
- She learned the art of sleight of hand to entertain her friends with card tricks.
Quick check
The magician amazed the audience with his , making the coin disappear.
Sleight of hand is the correct phrase. It refers to a magician’s skillful use of hand movements to perform tricks or illusions. The word sleight is derived from an Old Norse term meaning cunning or skill. It’s important to use sleight instead of slight because slight generally means small in degree or insignificant, which doesn’t convey the intended meaning of skill or dexterity.
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