Splaning

Splaning is a relatively new term found in some online discussions and blogs, used to describe a type of explanation that is perceived as condescending or overly confident. The word is a nonce construction that resembles splaining—short for explaining in a way that presumes the listener’s ignorance—but with its own distinct, informal usage. Because the term is not widely standardized, its exact meaning can vary by context.

In common online use, splaning refers to a speaker who asserts authority through a brisk, dismissive tone, often addressing a topic that the audience may not have asked to be explained. It is discussed in relation to other communication terms such as mansplaining and splaining, serving as a gender-neutral or generalized critique of patronizing tone rather than a specific technical skill. Some writers treat splaning as a broader critique of how people explain themselves in public forums, not limited to any particular subject.

Reception of the term is mixed. Supporters view splaning as a useful label for calling out dismissive discourse and encouraging more respectful dialogue. Critics argue that it can resemble a rhetorical fad or be applied too loosely, reducing nuanced exchanges to a single label. As with many contemporary neologisms, usage varies and the term has not achieved formal recognition in major dictionaries or scholarly works.

See also: mansplaining, splaining, condescension in communication. Notes on etymology and precise definition remain informal and context-dependent.