[sdiy] "Foot pedal"?!

[Roy J. Tellason]

>From Dictionary.com:

ped·al   Audio pronunciation of "pedal" ( P )  Pronunciation Key  (pdl) n.

   1.
         1. A foot-operated lever used for actuating or controlling a 
mechanism, as in a loom, sewing machine, piano, or organ.
         2. A similar foot-operated part attached to a crank and used for 
powering various devices, such as a bicycle.
   2. Music.
         1. A pedal point.
         2. A pedal keyboard.

adj.

   1. Of or relating to a pedal.
   2. (also pdl) Of or relating to a foot or footlike part: the pedal 
extremities.

v. ped·aled, or ped·alled ped·al·ing, or ped·al·ling ped·als or ped·als
v. intr.

   1. To use or operate a pedal or pedals.
   2. To ride a bicycle.

v. tr.

    To operate the pedals of.

(End quote)

>From Wikipedia:

A pedal is a lever activated by one's foot. 

(End quote)

So,  would it make any sense to speak of "hand pedals"?  Some other kind?  Why 
the hell is it that people seem to want to insist on referring to "foot 
pedals",  when "pedal" itself refers to something operated by the foot?

I've never seen a reference to any other kind...