When you heard the phrase ‘jazz hands’, most likely the speaker’s reference is about jazz dance. It describes a hand position utilized in the earliest days of swing and big band music. Later, as jazz moved into bebop, the move became more muted and symbolically expressive. The famous choreographer Bob Fosse popularized the current form of jazz hands, so much so that his nickname was, in fact, “Jazz Hands.” Today, jazz hands are almost clichè, but can still convey the overall theme and tone of jazz music and dance.

How To Make Jazz Hands

Form any pose that actively involves your arms and hands. Spread all of your fingers as far apart as you can. Tense your hands as much as possible. Move your arms (and body, if desired) in sudden, short, aesthetic bursts. Repeat until flamboyance is achieved.

http://inquisitr.com/extra/wp-content/2009/03/cat5.jpg

Besides the US, I wonder if there is another country using this cultural reference. Not in France.

The reason I asked is because you wrote “Actually I don’t care”, and I wondered why you would go through the hassle of commenting if you didn’t care.

Anyway your reply put a smile on my face so thanks and have a nice day

Lemon, is there a reason why you didn’t think I read my own post before posting?

I generally use the stream-of-consciousness method of commenting, where I say what comes to mind. Thus, some of my comments tend to be visceral. And like smiles producing smiles, they can evoke visceral reactions in others.

I visited the link, Lemon, and I saw a bunch of pictures with “jazz hands”, and I thought, “That’s dumb.”

Then I thought, “Why are they called jazz hands, anyway? Is that some artsy reference to jazz music or some lame theatrical Jazz show?”

And then I thought, “Do I really care? Not really.”

Then I posted my comment.

Then I read your comment, and then I posted this in-depth analysis of my comment-posting procedure, using my first comment here as an example.

@1 Do you read your own comments before posting?