Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull was accused of "mansplaining" in Question Time on Wednesday - which clearly baffled a number of government ministers.

Press gallery reporters noted a few raised eyebrows and confused looks after Labor deputy leader Tanya Plibersek told the parliament Mr Turnbull was not answering her question, but was instead "mansplaining".

One journalist reported hearing baffled frontbenchers ask if Ms Plibersek had said "manscaping" and what on earth was her point?

According to the Macquarie dictionary, to "mansplain" is to "explain (something) to a woman, in a way that is patronising because it assumes that a woman will be ignorant of the subject matter".