forehander

English

Etymology

From forehand +‎ -er.

Noun

forehander (plural forehanders)

1. (racquet sports) A shot played forehand.
2. (surfing) A surfer who approaches a swell facing the wave ("on their forehand") rather than with the wave behind them ("on their backhand").
   • 1990, Surfer - Volume 31, Issues 7-12:

     The morning brought an increased swell; long, perfect, down-the-line, 6-8' freight trains — a forehander's dream and a backhanders nightmare

3. (sailing) The crew member in charge of managing the foresail.
   • 1940, Roland Barker, Jonah's Ark, page 59:

     Then he heard the wailing cry of the forehander as the crowd manned the braces.

   • 1959, Tusitala, page 56:

     I had not been below ten minutes when I heard Mr. Hughes shouting orders; then there came the cries of the forehander, and the creaking of brace blocks, as the yards were trimmed once more.

Translations

shot played forehand

• German: Vorhandschlag m