- The phrase "talk to the hand" is a street vocabulary conversation-stopper that is meant to be taken literally, albeit ironically; and is usually accompanied by its related body language: I make a pronouncement. You begin to offer an objection of some sort. I cut you off by extending my right hand, palm out toward you, while I look over my right shoulder and say, "Talk to the hand!" The implication is that you might as well talk to my hand, because I'm not listening. As a conversation stopper, it works even better if you've never heard or seen it before, as what is meant may take a moment or two to sink in, and might even have to be explained (making the recipient seem a little less than streetwise). Since the speaker performs somewhat silly-looking body movements in order to get his/her point across, the phrase is kept just a shade short of being unforgivably rude. As the phrase is becoming somewhat less obscure, some are jettisoning the body movements, reducing the communication to a more-or-less angry comment meaning I'm not going to listen to you, as in "Hey, man, talk to the hand!"
Last edited on May 17 2011. Submitted by David L. from Buzzards Bay, MA, USA
on Jun 15 1999.
- hold a hand up to stop an annoying person from speaking.
Don't want to listen to you, talk to the hand.
Last edited on Nov 30 2010. Submitted by Erin S. from Urbana, IL, USA
on Jan 29 2000.
- Used when you don't want to hear it (anymore). Implies: "The ears are no longer listening." Also, "Talk to the finger 'cause the hand can't take it."
Talk to the hand!
Last edited on May 17 2011. Submitted by William B. from Silver Spring, MD, USA
on Apr 11 2002.
