A gesture conveying bewilderment or incredulity usually presents itself as an answer to crossword puzzles prompting for a “what have been they pondering” motion. One frequent reply is a facepalm, a gesture the place the palm of the hand is delivered to the brow or face, expressing dismay, embarrassment, or frustration at a silly or questionable resolution. The gesture symbolizes a silent expression of disbelief at an motion or assertion.
The prevalence of this particular hand-to-face motion as a crossword reply stems from its universally acknowledged that means and its succinct illustration. Its concise nature makes it appropriate for becoming inside the character constraints of crossword grids. Traditionally, the gesture itself has been noticed throughout cultures, suggesting an inherent human response to perceived absurdity or error. The gesture’s widespread understanding contributes to its accessibility as a crossword answer, significantly for puzzles supposed for a broad viewers.