jazz hands

American  

[jaz handz] / ˈdʒæz ˌhændz /

plural noun

1. especially in modern jazz dance, a movement in which the performer displays forward-facing palms and fully splayed fingers, usually with the hands waving rapidly: adopted in general as a spirited gesture of enthusiasm.

   I want perfect mastery of all the steps in this number before we move to the upper limbs, so keep your jazz hands to yourself.

   Excuse my parents—they were cheerleaders in college, so their jazz hands come out whenever they’re excited about something.

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Etymology

Origin of jazz hands

First recorded in 1920–25, for an earlier sense

Example Sentences

This was the topic of a 2018 Kate Krader story in Bloomberg which specifically references dining experiences that include jazz hands, rolling carts and fancy places.

From Salon • Jun. 17, 2023

"I wanted to have something that forced me to come out with jazz hands," he says.

From BBC • Oct. 13, 2022

The musical theater valentine “Schmigadoon!” didn’t make Emmy voters whip out their jazz hands.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 12, 2022

Even YouTube, a first-timer to upfront week, came in loud, with pyrotechnics, sequins and jazz hands in a Broadway theater steps from Times Square.

From New York Times • May 20, 2022

She does finger-wiggling jazz hands and then moves into high knee lifts like in PE—with enough enthusiasm that I wonder if it’s possible for her knee to smash into her nose.

From "The Benefits of Being an Octopus" by Ann Braden