verb / noun

wangle

WANG-gul/ˈwæŋɡl/

A clever maneuver to obtain or arrange something.

The theatergoer wangles a better seat by pretending to need an arm sling.

A theatergoer uses a makeshift arm sling to wangle a better seat, then removes the sling once the usher has seated her.

Etymology

The origin is uncertain, but the early printer’s slang meaning was “fake by manipulation.” That sense connects to accomplishing something indirectly and then obtaining it through persuasion or trickery.

In context

The Sackhoff Show Clips2:06

This could really be something, and I need to wangle my way into it.

Glenn Howerton and Katee Sackhoff debate on whether or not WANGLE is a word!

More examples

Can you wangle an extra day off?
He wangled an invitation through a friend.
That little wangle gets us a table without a reservation.

Forms

wangle · wangles · wangled · wangling

Similar words

maneuver: A maneuver can be skillful without involving persuasion or trickery.
finagle: Finagle similarly suggests getting something through crafty or questionable methods.