Etymology

facepalm

F4A1C3E1P3A1L1M3

Today it means: A gesture of bringing one or both palms to the face, with various interpretations including exasperation, chagrin, frustration, embarrassment (one's own or vicarious), etc. Full definition →

Ask AI about its historyChatGPTClaudePerplexityGoogle AIGrok

The story

From face + palm. Attested since at least 2001.

Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.