Jazz hands
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Jazz hands is a gesture that projects exuberance often associated with the performing arts.
[edit] Description
To perform jazz hands, the performer's hands are opened with palms facing forward, and the fingers are splayed. The position of the arms can vary. Forearms are usually extended upward; alternatively, they may extend forward with the elbows held close to the body, or to the sides or downward.
The hands may then be shaken slightly, as if holding a tambourine. However, this is not a necessary part of the jazz hands action.
If the arms are outstretched with fingers wiggling up and down this gesture is sometimes referred to as spirit fingers, as mentioned in the 2000 film Bring It On.
[edit] History
The gesture is featured prominently in the 1927 film The Jazz Singer starring Al Jolson. The origins predate this usage.[citation needed]
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