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.
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.