[1] : Jargon File (4.3.1, 29 Jun 2001)

on the gripping hand in the progression that starts "on the one
   hand..." and continues "on the other hand..." mainstream english may add
   "on the third hand..." even though most people don't have three hands.
   among hackers, it is just as likely to be "on the gripping hand". this
   metaphor supplied the title of larry niven  jerry pournelle's 1993 sf
   novel "the gripping hand" which involved a species of hostile aliens
   with three arms the same species, in fact, referenced in juggling
   eggs. as with tanstaafl and con, this usage became one of the
   naturalized imports from sf fandom frequently observed among hackers.


see also:
juggling eggs tanstaafl con 

Dead Hand >> D Words
Dead Hand, definition of term: Dead Hand
dead+hand_pag1.html

Bow Hand >> B Words
Bow Hand, definition of term: Bow Hand
bow+hand_pag1.html

At Hand >> A Words
At Hand, definition of term: At Hand
at+hand_pag1.html