rock-paper-scissors


rock-paper-scissors

n (Games, other than specified) a method of selecting, for example, which of two people perform a task: each person simultaneously makes one of three hand gestures representing a rock, a sheet of paper, and a pair of scissors respectively. Each gesture defeats one and is defeated by one of the other two: rock defeats scissors but is defeated by paper; paper defeats rock but is defeated by scissors. The person whose gesture defeats the other is selected. Also called (rare, chiefly US): roshambo [C20: named for the three objects represented by the hand gestures]