Imagine a team working on a project and trying to come up with new solutions to a problem. During the brainstorming process, team members might toss out various ideas, some of which might be well-researched and carefully thought out, while others are more spontaneous and loosely formed. These latter ideas are the "spitball" ideas – they are like the paper projectiles created by wetting paper with saliva and throwing them without precise aim.

Spitball ideas can serve as valuable starting points for further exploration and refinement. While they may not be fully developed or feasible in their initial state, they can spark creativity and inspire more refined ideas. Sometimes, a seemingly random or unconventional spitball idea can lead to unexpected breakthroughs or innovative solutions when combined with other ideas or given additional thought and consideration.

The term "spitball" in this context emphasizes the informality and spontaneity of the idea-sharing process. It's a way to encourage free thinking and open dialogue without the pressure of needing every idea to be perfectly polished from the start. As the brainstorming or discussion continues, the group can collectively evaluate and build upon these initial spitball ideas to eventually arrive at well-formed and viable solutions or concepts.

In summary, the figurative use of "spitball" underscores the importance of generating a diverse range of ideas, even if some of them are initially rough or undeveloped. It's a way to foster creative thinking and collaboration by embracing the unfiltered and unrefined aspects of idea generation.