Definitions for air quotes
air quotes

WiktionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. air quotesnoun

   The movement of a speaker's fingers in the air to represent quotation marks.

WikipediaRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Air quotes

   Air quotes, also called finger quotes, are virtual quotation marks formed in the air with one's fingers when speaking. The gesture is typically done with both hands held shoulder-width apart and at the eye or shoulders level of the speaker, with the index and middle fingers on each hand flexing at the beginning and end of the phrase being quoted. The air-quoted phrase is, in the most common usage, a few words. Air quotes are often used to express satire, sarcasm, irony or euphemism and are analogous to scare quotes in print.

WikidataRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Air quotes

   Air quotes, also called "finger quotes" or "ersatz quotes" are virtual quotation marks formed in the air with one's fingers when speaking. This is typically done with hands held shoulder-width apart and at the eye level of the speaker, with the index and middle fingers on each hand flexing at the beginning and end of the phrase being quoted. The air-quoted phrase is—in the most common usage—very short, at most a few words. While the term "air quotes" did not appear until 1989, use of similar gestures has been recorded as early as 1927. A single handed quote is a simplified variation. The gesture was used routinely in the TV show Celebrity Charades as the standard signal for a quote or phrase. The trend became very popular in the 1990s, attributed by many to comedian Steve Martin, who often used them with exaggerated emphasis in his stand-up shows. Additionally, in the blockbuster Austin Powers film franchise, Dr. Evil makes prominent use of air quotes when explaining matters to his henchmen. Air quotes are often used to express satire, sarcasm, irony or euphemism, and are analogous to scare quotes in print.

How to pronounce air quotes?

1. Alex

   US English

   David

   US English

   Mark

   US English

   Daniel

   British

   Libby

   British

   Mia

   British

   Karen

   Australian

   Hayley

   Australian

   Natasha

   Australian

   Veena

   Indian

   Priya

   Indian

   Neerja

   Indian

   Zira

   US English

   Oliver

   British

   Wendy

   British

   Fred

   US English

   Tessa

   South African

How to say air quotes in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of air quotes in Chaldean Numerology is: 3

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of air quotes in Pythagorean Numerology is: 8

Examples of air quotes in a Sentence

1. Read MoreNeeson:

   I went up and down areas with a cosh [crowbar], hoping I'd be approached by somebody. I'm ashamed to say that, and I did it for maybe a week -- hoping some [Neeson gestured air quotes with his fingers, according to the Independent] 'black bastard' would come out of a pub and have a go at me about something, you know? So that I could kill him. it was horrible, horrible, when I think back, that I did that.

References

1. ^ Wiktionary
   https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Air_Quotes
2. ^ Wikipedia
   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_Quotes
3. ^ Wikidata
   https://www.wikidata.org/w/index.php?search=air quotes