expression, noun-modifying (irregular)
well-thumbed; well-handled; showing signs of heavy use
Describes a physical object, especially a book, that has become grimy or worn from repeated handling. Literally 'with hand grime attached'.
His dictionary had many well-thumbed pages.
I found a well-handled old comic at the used bookstore.
expression, noun-modifying (irregular)
Figurative extension: an idea, joke, or phrase that has been overused and lost freshness, as if soiled by too many hands.
Nobody laughed at that worn-out joke.
Let's avoid hackneyed expressions and look for fresh phrasing.
Means 'stale, trite' for ideas, but lacks the physical 'hand grime' imagery. 手垢のついた is more vivid and colloquial.
Standard kanji spelling using 垢 for 'grime'.
Variant with 付く; both つく kanji are used.
Mixed kana-kanji spelling, common in casual writing.
Mixed kana-kanji variant with 付く.
Phrase composed of 手垢 (hand grime) + の (possessive particle) + ついた (past form of つく 'to attach'). Literally 'with hand grime attached', it first described physical wear from handling and later extended metaphorically to overused ideas.