In Italian, this expression has nothing to do with fight. “A mano a mano” or “Di mano in mano” is used for an action extended over time, with a sense of gradual increase; e.g. “a mano a mano che leggevo il libro…” can be translated as "While (As) I was reading the book…). On the other hand (appropriately), “hand is hand” is in Italian “mano nella mano”.
Alberto Vignani - Turin, Italy
LINK TO COLUMN: What does the expression “mano a mano” mean? - The Straight Dope
In common American usage, it is understood to mean a one on one contest, usually a fight.
Hand to hand, as in combat.
And then I cry, “No mas!”
And I say "I’m not really left-handed!
(But somehow, in Italian)
And in practice, it is painfully clear that some Americans (at least) think it means “manly-man vs. manly-man”.
Welcome to the Straight Dope Message Boards, avignani, we’re glad you found us (we don’t have many posters/readers in Italy, I don’t think, so you’re doubly welcome!)
For future reference: when you start a thread, it’s helpful to provide a link to the column in question. Saves search time, and helps keep us on the same page (mostly), with no need to re-state what’s already in the column. In this case, I’ve edited a link at the bottom on your post. No problem at all, you’ll know for next time, and (as I said) welcome indeed!
I have a feeling that mano a mano became a popular saying because it sounds like “man to man” in English, but because it’s not in English, it sounds extra tough.
It’s latin, of course. It just sounds like italian.
Literally: “Man on Man”. As in (to the yanks) “Lets take this outside”
Nope it’s either Spanish or Portuguese. and means “Hand to Hand” The phrase comes from bullfighting when two matadors competed against each other in the ring for the adoration of the crowd.
The two matadors didn’t fight each other, they simply went one after the other fighting the bulls. After all, this is a civilized society!
And is a whole lot easier to enunciate than hombre a hombre.
If you wanted man-to-man in Latin, I suppose it would be something like homo ad hominem, which probably leaves something to be desired in terms of modern colloquial English.
From Castle:
Castle: So, what do you say to a little showdown? Head to head, toe to toe, winner take all, mano a mujer.
Beckett: “Hand to woman”?
Castle: Whatever it takes.
Carpe canis!
¿Quién es más macho?
Not at all. I can imagine that becoming a very popular saying in particular bars in many metropolitan areas.
Never mind.
The expression “mano a mano” in Italian actually means little by little, or as you go.
Kind regards
Riccardo
The expression “mano a mano” means: returned favor, to get even with someone, draw, taken for revenge.
MODERATOR NOTE:
THere was already a thread on this topic, so I’ve merged them
I’m willing to bet that most Americans believe it comes from the Spanish, and often phrase it as “mano-y-mano”…or is that correct in Spanish, after all?