Facepalm facts for kids

A facepalm gesture

A facepalm is when someone puts their hand flat over their face. They might also put their face into one or both hands. This action is a gesture used in many cultures around the world. People often do a facepalm to show feelings like frustration, embarrassment, shock, or even surprise.

What is a Facepalm?

A facepalm is a simple hand gesture. It involves placing the palm of your hand onto your face. This usually covers your eyes or forehead. Sometimes, people use both hands for a "double facepalm." It's a way to show strong feelings without using words.

Why Do People Facepalm?

People use the facepalm gesture for several reasons. It often means someone is feeling frustrated. Imagine if you made a silly mistake; you might facepalm. It can also show embarrassment. If someone says something awkward, a facepalm might follow. Shock or surprise can also lead to this gesture. It's like saying, "Oh no!" or "I can't believe it!" without speaking.

Facepalms in Pop Culture

The facepalm has become very popular online. It is often used as an Internet meme. A meme is an image or video that spreads quickly online. The facepalm meme usually shows someone doing the gesture. It helps people share feelings of disbelief or annoyance. This gesture is now a common way to react to silly or frustrating things on the internet.

Images for kids

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  Agnès Varda doing a facepalm

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  A pictogram of a facepalm

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  A double facepalm.

See also

In Spanish: Facepalm para niños