'diplomatically-handled' originates from the combination of 'diplomatic' and 'handle', where 'diplomatic' comes from the Greek word 'diplōma', meaning 'folded paper', and 'handle' from Old English 'handlian', meaning 'to touch or feel'.

'diplomatic' evolved from the Greek 'diplōma' through Latin 'diplomaticus', and 'handle' from Old English 'handlian', eventually forming the modern English phrase 'diplomatically-handled'.

Initially, 'diplomatic' referred to official documents, but over time it evolved to mean tactful and sensitive, while 'handle' retained its meaning of managing or dealing with something.