Often considered to be
sarcastic or obnoxious, the phrase was popularized by actor and comedian
Martin Lawrence in his 1992 sitcom
Martin. It was formally reported from as early as 1995, when a local
Indianapolis magazine story noted "Talk to the hand—The phrase, which means, '
Shut up', is accompanied by a hand in front of the victim's face." It is usually accompanied by the gesture of extending one arm toward the other person, with the palm of that hand facing the person being insulted, in the manner of the gesture to stop. Use of the phrase was noted to be a passing trend, as Jack Rawlins noted in advising writers against the use of the slang: "Slang is trendy. Last year every young person I knew was saying 'Talk to the hand'. Now no one even remembers 'Talk to the hand'". ==See also==