fat finger

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fat finger" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe a mistake made while typing, often due to pressing the wrong key or multiple keys at once. Example: "I sent the email to the wrong person because I had a fat finger moment while typing their address."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

48 human-written examples

1. What's a fat finger?

The Washington Post

"The idea that it was a 'fat finger' error is ludicrous; unless the fat finger hit every market in the world virtually simultaneously.

The Guardian - Business

The short answer is, yes, someone did fat finger this big time.

The Washington Post

A fat finger of buttery shortbread is the perfect accompaniment to a cup of tea.

The Times

Was it a "fat finger" trade in which somebody had mistakenly entered "billion" instead of "million"?

The Guardian - Business

It's a fat finger of land, trapped between Balkan Europe and the edge of Asia Minor.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

12 human-written examples

We call that the fat-finger syndrome, when something is input wrongly by a trader.

The Guardian - Opinion

Touch-screens are handy for fat-finger navigation, but they don't add anything for photo-editing purposes.

The Guardian - Tech

Prosecutors in South Korea raided the headquarters of Samsung Securities yesterday as part of an investigation into the brokerage's "fat-finger" trade last month.

The Times

News outlets immediately began speculating that someone at the brokerage firm had committed a so-called fat-finger trade, in which a trader inputs the wrong number.

The New York Times

As a bonus, removing manual tasks also removes the potential for fat-finger errors.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about financial transactions or data input, use "fat finger" to describe a simple, unintentional error that led to a significant mistake. This adds a touch of informal explanation without being overly technical.

Common error

Avoid using "fat finger" in highly formal or academic reports. Opt for more precise terms like "data entry error" or "typographical error" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fat finger" functions as a noun, typically used to describe the cause of a typographical error. As noted by Ludwig, it refers to a supposed cause of such errors. The term is commonly used in contexts where a simple mistake has significant consequences.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "fat finger" is a common idiom used to describe a typographical error resulting from accidentally pressing the wrong key, as Ludwig AI confirms. Predominantly found in News & Media, Science and Formal & Business contexts, it serves to explain unintentional mistakes, often in high-stakes situations like financial trading. While grammatically sound, its informal nature makes it less suited for highly formal academic writing. Alternative phrases include "typographical error" or "data entry error", depending on the context. In essence, "fat finger" offers a relatable, if slightly casual, way to attribute blame to simple, human error.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

typographical error

Refers to a mistake made in typing, focusing on the error itself rather than the cause.

input mistake

A general term for any error made during data entry or input.

data entry error

Specifically refers to mistakes made while entering data, often in a professional setting.

clerical error

Highlights the mistake as originating from an administrative or manual task.

human error

Emphasizes that the mistake was made by a person, rather than a system or machine.

finger fumble

More informal and directly refers to a physical mistake with the fingers.

mistyping

Focuses on the act of typing incorrectly.

keyboard slip

Describes a mistake made while using a keyboard.

accidental keystroke

Highlights the unintentional nature of the error.

inadvertent entry

Formal term describing an unintentional or accidental input.

FAQs

What does the term "fat finger" mean?

The term "fat finger" typically refers to a typographical error caused by accidentally pressing the wrong key or multiple keys at once, especially on a keyboard or touchscreen.

How is the expression "fat finger" typically used in finance?

In finance, "fat finger" often describes a trading error where a trader mistakenly enters an incorrect order, such as buying or selling a significantly larger quantity of shares than intended.

What are some alternative ways to say "fat finger"?

You can use alternatives like "typographical error", "keyboard error", or "data entry error" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use the term "fat finger" in professional writing?

While the term "fat finger" is widely understood, it's generally more suitable for informal or explanatory contexts. For formal reports, consider using more precise terms like "human error" or "input mistake".