'sleight-handed' originates from English as a compound of the word 'sleight' and 'handed'; 'sleight' ultimately comes from Old Norse 'slœgð' (meaning 'slyness, cunning') and 'handed' derives from Old English 'hand' (meaning 'hand').

'sleight' appeared in Middle English as 'sleyght' or 'sleight' borrowed from Old Norse 'slœgð'; it later combined with English 'handed' (from Old English 'hand') to form compounds such as 'sleight-handed' in Modern English.

Initially 'sleight' primarily meant 'slyness' or 'cunning'; over time, especially in phrases like 'sleight of hand', the sense shifted toward 'manual skill or dexterity', so 'sleight-handed' came to mean 'skillful with the hands'.