love handles
MediumInformal, colloquial, humorous
Definition
Meaning
Excess fat at the sides of the waist, just above the hips.
A colloquial, often humorous or euphemistic term for the deposits of body fat around the midsection, particularly on men. It implies a soft, graspable area.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The term is lighthearted and often used self-deprecatingly. It carries a less harsh connotation than terms like 'fat' or 'flab'. It is almost exclusively used for physical description.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is used and understood identically in both varieties. No significant lexical or grammatical differences.
Connotations
Slightly more common in American media, but fully naturalised in British English. The humorous, euphemistic tone is consistent.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in American English, but common in both.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
have + love handlesget + love handleslose + one's love handlesVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A spare tyre around the middle (UK equivalent).”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Extremely rare; inappropriate in formal business contexts.
Academic
Not used in academic writing; replaced by technical terms like 'subcutaneous abdominal adipose tissue'.
Everyday
Common in casual conversation about health, fitness, diet, or body image, often with humour.
Technical
Not a technical term; used in fitness/wellness articles for a general audience.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- He's started running to try and love-handle his midsection. (Very informal, non-standard)
American English
- No standard verb form exists for 'love handles'.
adjective
British English
- He's got a bit of a love-handle situation going on. (Informal, derived)
American English
- After the holidays, I'm feeling a little love-handled. (Humorous, informal)
Examples
By CEFR Level
- He has love handles.
- I need to exercise more to lose my love handles.
- Despite his fitness regime, he still struggles with stubborn love handles.
- The article offered tongue-in-cheek advice on embracing one's love handles as a sign of a life well-lived.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine someone lovingly grabbing the soft handles of fat on their partner's sides.
Conceptual Metaphor
BODY FAT IS A HANDLE (an object to be grasped).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not translate literally as 'любовные ручки'. This would be nonsensical. The established Russian equivalent is 'бока' (sides) or 'жировые складки на боках'.
Common Mistakes
- Using it in formal writing.
- Using it to describe serious obesity (it's for mild to moderate fat).
- Applying it primarily to women (it's more common for men).
Practice
Quiz
In which context would 'love handles' be LEAST appropriate?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is generally not considered rude due to its humorous and euphemistic nature, but like any body description, it depends entirely on context and the relationship between speakers. It's best used about oneself or with close friends.
Yes, but it is less common. Terms like 'muffin top' (fat overhanging trousers) are often used specifically for women. 'Love handles' is more frequently applied to men.
The etymology is not definitively documented, but it likely arose in mid-20th century American English. The 'love' suggests affection or intimacy, and 'handles' refers to the idea of holding onto those areas during an embrace.
Yes. Formal terms include 'subcutaneous abdominal adipose tissue', 'waist adiposity', or 'flank fat'. In fitness contexts, 'oblique fat' is also used.