We have changed our privacy policy. In addition, we use cookies on our website for various purposes. By continuing on our website, you consent to our use of cookies. You can learn about our practices by reading our privacy policy.


Fat Finger Error

Categories: Regulations, Trading

The most frequent cause of nose-picking injuries.

Also the name for a mistake in entering information with a keyboard (or smartphone). Basically, it implies that your fingers are too thick to accurately key in information.

In a financial setting, a fat finger error most often comes up in entering trades. Like...you mean to buy 10,000 shares and end up buying 100,000. Oops. It’s silly to think of a typo costing millions of dollars, but it happens.

Next time: less salt in the diet.

Find other enlightening terms in Shmoop Finance Genius Bar(f)