Mexican wave

British  

noun

1. the rippling effect produced when the spectators in successive sections of a sports stadium stand up while raising their arms and then sit down

---

Etymology

Origin of Mexican wave

C20: so called because it was first demonstrated at the World Cup in Mexico in 1986

Example Sentences

Other planned events include “the largest Mexican wave ever performed” and a “giant karaoke.”

From Seattle Times • Dec. 30, 2023

The Mexican wave in a stadium looks like a pattern traveling across the tiers.

From Science Daily • Sep. 29, 2023

Following the Changing the Guard, Mr Trump's helicopter - Marine One - whipped up dust from nearby Green Park as it flew overhead, eagerly followed by a Mexican wave of smartphones from the crowd below.

From BBC • Jun. 3, 2019

But the shadow cabinet does an “ooh no” Mexican wave around a bleached-pine kitchen-supper table.

From The Guardian • Sep. 23, 2014

Just like a Mexican wave through a stadium, once a jump-yip is instigated, it will travel through an entire colony, each prairie dog jumping and yipping after its closest colony mate has jumped and yipped.

From Scientific American • Jan. 8, 2014