-er

a person or thing that does something

Forms

-er
-r — Used after some bases ending in e.

Origin

Old English -ere, generally traced through Germanic to Latin -arius.

Note

It can name a tool as readily as a person. The comparison ending in taller has a different history.

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noun

panhandler

PAN-han-dler/ˈpænhændlər/

A person who asks strangers for money in public.

The panhandler asks a passerby for money.

A person seated at the edge of a public pavement holds out a small plain cup and asks a passing stranger for money, open requesting hand, respectful eye contact, no sign or caricature.

Etymology

panhandlEnglishan act of begging

+erEnglisha person or thing that does something

A panhandler is someone who engages in panhandle, an older term for begging. That term perhaps pictured an outstretched arm like a pan’s handle, or someone handling a beggar’s pan.

In context

Old Time Radio Researchers4:19

a panhandler asked me for a nickel for a cup of coffee

Jack Benny - JB 1940-01-21 Gladys Zybisco Is Discussed

More examples

The outreach worker spoke with the panhandler.
The report examined how the city treated panhandlers.
He stopped to listen to the panhandler’s request.

Forms

panhandler · panhandlers

panhandle verb — ask strangers for money

Similar words

beggar: Beggar is broader and can sound stigmatizing; panhandler specifically asks strangers for money in public.
busker: A busker performs publicly for contributions; panhandling does not require a performance.