splaining

Splaining is a colloquial term used to describe the act of explaining something in a patronizing or condescending manner, often to someone perceived as lacking knowledge or authority. The word functions as a clipped form of explain plus a spl- syllable derived from splain in mansplain. While related to gendered discourse, splaining is used more broadly to refer to explanations delivered with a loud, corrective, or dismissive tone, regardless of the speakers’ or listeners’ identities.

Origins and usage have roots in discussions of power dynamics in communication. The related term mansplaining originated in the 2000s to describe men explaining things to women in a patronizing way, and subsequently inspired the generalized concept of splaining. In online discourse, splaining is used to label moments when an speaker asserts authority, interrupts, or assumes the listener’s ignorance in order to “educate” them, often without engaging with the listener’s perspective.

Contexts and characteristics. Splaining commonly appears in social media, comment sections, debates, and some workplace interactions. It is characterized less by the factual content of the explanation and more by tone, intent, and listening style: a presumption of superiority, a may-not-listen attitude, and a focus on correcting rather than understanding. The term is frequently invoked to critique disrespectful communication, though it can be deployed humorously or self-referentially.

Criticism and nuance. Some observers argue that the label can be overapplied or oversimplify complex exchanges. Others see it as a useful shorthand for exposing power imbalances in communication. In any case, splaining highlights how tone and perceived authority influence how information is received.