one hand

[03andpea]

what is the sound of one hand clapping?

[PearsonP]

'clap'

[Sparkle*]

None

[Sparkle*]

I mean there is no sound!

[dmv501]

A kind of whistling air movement sound, which accompanies the sound of a tree falling in the forest

[kags]

squelch

[Quizmonster]

Bart Simpson made nonsense of this supposed Zen conundrum in one episode simply by doing it. You can, too. Just flap your fingers loosely against the palm of the hand and you'll hear - quite distinctly - what 'one hand clapping' sounds like...ie very like the sound of 'two hands clapping' but much fainter!

[Octavius]

Two possible answers:

 

a sort of "nnnngggggaaaoowwww" followed by a light buzz.

 

or

 

The echo of the completely empty valley bears tidings heard from the soundless sound?

 

One of which is complete ballcocks.

 

[snook]

cl...

[brachiopod]

As Quizmonster says, it's an old Zen Koan (riddle). Apparently it's some bullocks about Zen instructors asking of their pupils

 "If the sound of two hands is clapping, what is the sound of one hand?"

To which, an enlightened pupil will just hold out his hand - inferring that he hears something. All a bit 'Emperors new clothes' if you ask me...

 

The other, more recent, meaning is a euphemism for masturbation.