INNUENDO (Latin for " by nodding," from innuere, to indicate by nodding)  , an insinuation, suggestion, in prima facie innocent words, of something defamatory or disparaging of a person . The word appears in legal documents in Medieval Latin, to explain, in parenthesis, that to which a preceding word refers; thus, " he, innuendo, the plaintiff, is a thief." The word is still found in pleadings in actions for libel and slander . The innuendo, in the plaintiff's statement of claim, is an averment that wordswritten or spoken by the defendant, though prima facie not actionable, have, in fact, a defamatory meaning, which is specifically set out (see LIBEL AND SLANDER) .