Quote Originally Posted by Joran View Post
Back to a gun question. Why is a standing position also known as an "offhand" position?

I was watching Top Shot last night and was thoroughly confused when the shooters were standing and were shooting with their dominant hands. Only when I got to a computer did I realize that "offhand" meant the same as standing.
My etymology reference suggests that rather than just while standing, it also referred to firing without a rest or other support (whether or not this is still the case for shooting, unfortunately, is beyond my knowledge). The word itself refers to doing something freely or straightaway, usually without prep, as in an offhand comment or action.