what gives?

what does this really mean? roque, once again, amazes me with his new one-liner, "what gives?"

because he is able to use it in different situations he is in, i am able to get what he means...

the computer won't play his cd and he says, "what gives?"
i laugh at something and he says, "what gives, mom?"
we're stuck in traffic for a long time and he says, "what gives?"

each time, he says this together with upward rolling of his eyeballs and bringing his hands palms up to shoulder level.

so i guess it means "why?... "what's the reason for this or that?"

oh well, after so many times he's delivered that line, i can finally answer him, "because!"

just to pick his brain the way he picks mine.