One Hand Clap
One Hand Clap by onesickaussiechick July 8, 2010
Urban Dictionary Merch
Your favorite words on things you can wear, drink from, read, or give to a friend.
The Urban Dictionary Store sells gifts you’ll have to explain.
one hand clapping
A reference to a zen koan, worn threadbare and meaningless by endless repetition in the media. It has no 'answer' unless, as in definition (1) above, the answerer redefines the term 'clapping', thus entirely missing the point.
Teacher: "What is the sound of one hand clapping?"
Student: "Um, the snapping of fingers?"
Teacher: (whacks student with computer keyboard)
Student: "Um, the snapping of fingers?"
Teacher: (whacks student with computer keyboard)
one hand clapping by RunningBulldog October 10, 2012
one hand clapping
The sound of one hand clapping is supposed to be a question with no answer. It is a clasic Zen koan given to students to aid in enlightenment by leading the mind into a cul-de-sac with no way out but enlightenment. How enlightened could the person who came up with this koan be, considering it has such an obvious and simple answer?
one hand clapping by fred ressler August 20, 2007
One hand clapping
Fundamental lore of Zen Buddhism; know as the Kōan traditional. In the west formally termed onanism or colloquially: ‘throttling the purple headed yogurt slinger’. This is the sound of skin slamming skin as “mediation” reaches the point of enlightenment.
“Ekaku what are you doing in the bathroom”
“Nothing”
“If you’re doing nothing, why can half the building hear the sound of one hand clapping? I swear if you’ve ruined another one of my Grattan catalogues with your man milk I promise you this is the last time Madame palmer's five daughters are coming 'round to play.”
“Nothing”
“If you’re doing nothing, why can half the building hear the sound of one hand clapping? I swear if you’ve ruined another one of my Grattan catalogues with your man milk I promise you this is the last time Madame palmer's five daughters are coming 'round to play.”
One hand clapping by Filthclub July 10, 2010
One hand clapping
One hand clapping by Oingooboingo January 29, 2023
More from Urban Dictionary
Ratfucker
Brought to public attention by Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein in the book on the fall of Richard Nixon, All The President’s Men, ratfucker was Nixon’s term for a political operative who sows chaos among opponents; an agent provocateur. It is thought to have originated among campus political rivalries at USC, and seems to have some usage in the US military.
Along with Nixon’s other ratfuckers, Roger Stone caused fights at otherwise peaceful Democratic Party protests to generate a false narrative that the Democrats were violent and dangerous.
Ratfucker by Ricky Ramjet November 2, 2017
Word of the Day on November 2, 2026
countrypolitan
Term used to describe someone who is a mix of both rural (country) and urban (metropolitan) lifestyles/upbringings. He/she is typically equally comfortable in both settings and is able to seamlessly slip back and forth between the two, appreciating the characteristics of each.
That ol' gal of mine drives the 12 lane freeway during the week and a John Deere on the weekends. She likes opra and the Grand Ol' Opry. I love them countrypolitan women.
countrypolitan by MOChick November 7, 2006
Word of the Day on November 1, 2026
Witch Bath
A bath consisting of a variety of slats, oils, soaps or any other added ingredients such as fruits, milks, herbs or any other spices for health or beautifying benifits.
Witch Bath by carnieboy30 October 26, 2020
Word of the Day on October 31, 2026
proper lad
proper lad by its_ya_boi_chips_ahoy May 20, 2018
Word of the Day on October 29, 2026