People who manage, control, or work with animals, objects, or other people in a professional capacity. Those who train animals or manage someone's career or public image.
From 'handle' (Old English 'handlian', to touch with hands) plus agent suffix '-er' and plural '-s'. The sense of managing or controlling developed from the basic meaning of physical manipulation.
The word reveals our hands-on approach to management - whether it's dog handlers working with animals or political handlers managing public figures, the concept stems from the intimate, tactile relationship between hands and control. In modern usage, 'handlers' often suggests a somewhat manipulative or controlling relationship!
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