third hand

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third hand (plural third hands)

1. A tool used to squeeze caliper brakes against the rim of a wheel, as on a bicycle, thereby allowing adjustments to the brake cable.
2. A source two steps removed from direct communication.

third hand

1. Having been relayed by two intermediate sources.

   I heard the story from someone who got it from the horse's mouth. You're getting it third hand.

   • 2010, BioWare, quoting Mom, Mass Effect 2 (Science Fiction), Redwood City: Electronic Arts, →OCLC, PC, scene: You're alive???:

     So I have to find out my child is alive third-hand from the Alliance brass? Where the hell have you been?

2. (idiomatic) Not new, having more than one previous owner.

• second hand