Mexican wave
To perform a Mexican wave.
ˈmɛksəkən ˈweɪvDocumented since 1980s1980sMillennialhistorical142 viewsLast reviewed Jun 29, 2026+ Add a definition
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Born ~1986 · no dated citations yetGen X eraSee decade cohort →
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UK
#2·Apr 27, 2026UK
(UK, Ireland, Commonwealth) A phenomenon that primarily occurs at sports events, where the members of the crowd stand up and/or raise their hands in turn, creating the illusion of a wave passing through the crowd.
Origin: Popularised during the 1986 FIFA World Cup held in Mexico. Origin information sourced from Wiktionary contributors (CC BY-SA 4.0).
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UK
#1·Apr 27, 2026UK
To perform a Mexican wave.
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