'short-handed' originates from English, combining 'short' meaning 'lacking' and 'handed' referring to 'hands' or 'workers'.

'short-handed' evolved from the concept of having fewer hands or workers available, eventually becoming a term used in various contexts to describe a lack of personnel.

Initially, it meant 'having fewer workers,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'having fewer people available than needed.'