Definition of second hand

The expression "second hand" refers to items that have been previously owned or used by someone else before being sold or offered for purchase. The term's origin can be traced back to the world of horology, where it first appeared in the context of watches and clocks. In a clock, the "second hand" is the smaller hand that ticks every second, while the "minute hand" and "hour hand" move more slowly. But in the late 1800s, a new meaning emerged for the term "second hand" as people began to describe items that had been previously owned as "second-hand goods." This meaning could be seen as a way of acknowledging the notion that the items were not quite the same as they would have been when first purchased or manufactured, because they had been used and potentially worn or damaged to some extent by the prior owner. However, it also carried another implicit meaning: saving money by avoiding buying brand new goods. The affordability of buying "second hand" has led to the establishment of a variety of pre-owned goods marketplaces, such as thrift stores or online marketplaces for second-hand goods, that focus on selling previously owned goods as an alternative for consumers. As a result, "second hand" has acquired a positive association as a symbol of affordability and sustainability, encouraging people to see the value in objects that have been previously loved and are, therefore, more unique in character.