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• 'splain
  'splain

  verb (used with or without object)

  a shortened form of explain.
• -splain
  -splain

  a combining form extracted from mansplain and meaning “to explain or comment on something in a condescending, overconfident, and often inaccurate or oversimplified manner, from the perspective of the group one identifies with,” as in

'splain

¹ American  

[spleyn] / spleɪn /

Or splain

verb (used with or without object)

Informal.

1. a shortened form of explain.

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-splain ² American  

1. a combining form extracted from mansplain and meaning “to explain or comment on something in a condescending, overconfident, and often inaccurate or oversimplified manner, from the perspective of the group one identifies with,” as in

   racism being whitesplained to a person of color.

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Usage

What does -splain mean? The combining form -splain is used like a suffix meaning “to explain or comment on something in a condescending or overconfident manner.” It is occasionally used in slang terms. In most instances, the first element of the word describes the perspective of the "explainer," e.g., mansplain. The form -splain comes from the word mansplain, meaning “to explain something to a woman in a condescending, overconfident, and often inaccurate or oversimplified manner, typically to a woman already knowledgeable about the topic.” The form -splain in this sense is extracted from explain.

Etymology

Origin of 'splain

By shortening and alteration of explain

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

'splain -splain

“Somebody needs to ‘splain to people how hard it is to make a muon collider.”

From Science Magazine ● Dec. 8, 2023

Evans wanted to ’splain himself in secret before his colleagues cast a public vote, probably next week.

From Washington Post ● Mar. 15, 2019

“Mrs. Dowdel, let me ’splain something to you,” the sheriff bawled.

From "A Long Way from Chicago" by Richard Peck

Now, Alwynda,” turning to the weeping woman, who was wiping her eyes with the cape of her sunbonnet, “jes’ you dry up an’ stop yo’ bellerin’, an’ I ’splain it all in a holy minit.

From Stories by American Authors, Volume 7 by Various

“I wish you would try and ’splain, all the same,” said Sibyl, in a weak, very weak voice.

From Daddy's Girl by Meade, L. T.

While the politics guys were arguing, other Slatesters busied themselves sorting out cultural phenomena: The useful suffix -splain, which “tried to contain too many ideas and popped like a balloon.”

From Slate ● Feb. 26, 2016