Definition of handwaves

handwave

noun

• an instance of hand-waving as described in the verb sense.

  Boy, what a handwave!

  Last edited on Nov 10 2011. Submitted by WalterGR (via TheJargonFile) on Aug 14 2009.

verb

• an insufficient (and often dismissive) explanation of something complex.
  • See more words with the same meaning: computer slang.

  Last edited on Nov 10 2011. Submitted by WalterGR (via TheJargonFile) on Aug 14 2009.

Adding definitions is temporarily disabled. (We're doing some maintenance on the site...)

Share Tweet E-mail	More info:	Interactive stats:
	R  Related words	Usage Vulgarity SlangMap

Related words

Slang terms with the same meaning

Other terms relating to 'computer slang':
IIRC	Definitions include: acronym for "if I recall correctly."
IMO	Definitions include: acronym for "in my opinion".
FWP	Definitions include: acronym for "First World problem" or "First World problems".
look and feel	Definitions include: the general appearance of software or a website.
WWYD	Definitions include: acronym for "what would you do".
BFF	Definitions include: acronym for "best friend(s) forever".
AFAICT	Definitions include: acronym for "as far as I can tell".
FTA	Definitions include: acronym for "from the article."
quote chapter and verse	Definitions include: to cite a relevant excerpt from some text.
wedged	Definitions include: nauseous, irritable, with an aching body and headaches, as a result of staying awake too long.
gc	Definitions include: acronym for "group chat".
PHB	Definitions include: acronym for "pointy-haired boss".
FOCROFLOL	Definitions include: acronym for "falling off chair, rolling on floor, laughing out loud".
footprint	Definitions include: the typical amount of computing resources taken up by a computer program.
foo	Definitions include: colloquial pronunciation of fool.
(show 591 more)

Slang terms with the same root words

None. How about some random words?

whopperjawed	Definitions include: out of place, crooked.
b*tchass mother f*cker	Definitions include: a bitch-ass motherfucker.
high	Definitions include: intoxicated from drugs.
zunga	Definitions include: a rope swing next to a body of water (such as a river or swimming pool.)
cook on all four burners	Definitions include: to be proceeding well or rapidly.
clitorillogical	Definitions include: Clitorillogical is a word invented by an art historian from U.C. Berkeley back in 1979-80.
professional viber	Definitions include: A highly introverted person who's hyper-aware of how screwed and meaningless everything is, and just vibes.
bouncer	Definitions include: security, generally at a club, bar, or party.
cangrej	Definitions include: A crab, especially one going into a Spanish-speaking country or countries via trade.
samolean	Definitions include: a unit of money. Notes: also spelled "samolian."

How common is this slang?

Voting is temporarily disabled. (We're doing some maintenance on the site...)

Don't click the following.
I use it	(3)
No longer use it	(1)
Heard it but never used it	(2)
Have never heard it	(6)

How vulgar is this slang?

Average of 6 votes: 23%  (See the most vulgar words.)

Least vulgar

Most vulgar

Your vote: None

Voting is temporarily disabled. (We're doing some maintenance on the site...)

Where is this slang used?

Logged-in users can add themselves to the map. Login, Register, Login instantly with Facebook.

Link to this slang definition

To link to this term in a web page or blog, insert the following.

<a href="http://onlineslangdictionary.com/meaning-definition-of/handwaves">handwaves</a>

To link to this term in a wiki such as Wikipedia, insert the following.

[http://onlineslangdictionary.com/meaning-definition-of/handwaves handwaves]

Some wikis use a different format for links, so be sure to check the documentation.