# arostolder and the sound of one hand clapping

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arostolder-and-the-sound-of-one-hand-clapping/316134>\
**Category:** Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports\
**Created:** [August 8, 2005, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arostolder-and-the-sound-of-one-hand-clapping/316134 "2005-08-08T17:33:40Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![arostolder\_optonline.net](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/977dab/32.png) [@arostolder\_optonline.net](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/arostolder_optonline.net)\
**Post date:** [August 8, 2005, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arostolder-and-the-sound-of-one-hand-clapping/316134/1 "2005-08-08T17:33:40Z")

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re: sound of one hand clapping  
the only possible answer to" what is the sound of one hand clapping" is," the sound of one hand clapping"

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**Author:** ![Kat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b19c9b/32.png) [@Kat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kat)\
**Post date:** [August 8, 2005, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arostolder-and-the-sound-of-one-hand-clapping/316134/2 "2005-08-08T23:15:04Z")

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[What is the sound of one hand clapping?](http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a1_049.html)

Welcome to the board, **arostolder**. The problem with that answer, is the questioner will assume you’re trying to be a smartass. Not that that’s necessarily _bad_, depending on who it is…

Terry Pratchett’s DEATH had the best answer, I think, which was “CL” (and the other hand makes the “AP”).

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**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\
**Post date:** [August 8, 2005, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arostolder-and-the-sound-of-one-hand-clapping/316134/3 "2005-08-08T23:21:41Z")

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As Kat said: "Welcome to the board, arostolder. The problem with that answer, is the questioner will assume you’re trying to be a smartass. "

And people will post stuff like: “If a tree falls in a forest, will a pedant hear it?” 😃

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**Author:** ![Jake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f475e1/32.png) [@Jake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jake)\
**Post date:** [August 18, 2005, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arostolder-and-the-sound-of-one-hand-clapping/316134/4 "2005-08-18T22:14:49Z")

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Of course, by definition (almost any dictionary) clapping is the sound made by slapping two hands together making sound waves. Extending to the ears of others. :rolleyes:  
I don’t think you’re a smartass but you’ve got to pose more intelligent questions.  
Let’s go to _General Questions._

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**Author:** ![Alan\_Smithee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/2acd7d/32.png) [@Alan\_Smithee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alan_Smithee)\
**Post date:** [August 18, 2005, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arostolder-and-the-sound-of-one-hand-clapping/316134/5 "2005-08-18T23:51:27Z")

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Or perhaps…  
No. I’ll let someone else do it. I’d be too nice.