Slap - Etymology, Origin & Meaning (original) (raw)
Origin and history of slap
late 15c., slappen, "strike or smack with the open hand," from slap (n.). By 1836 as "to put into place." As an adverb, 1670s, "suddenly;" 1829, "directly." Related: Slapped; slapping.
slap(n.)
mid-15c., "a smart blow," especially with the open hand or something flat, probably of imitative origin, similar to Low German slappe, German Schlappe.
The figurative meaning "an insult, a reprimand" is attested from 1736. Slap-happy (1936) originally meant "punch-drunk." Slap on the wrist "very mild corrective punishment" is by 1900; slap in the face figuratively for "an insult" is by 1807. Colloquial slap and tickle "light amorous play" is by 1915.
Entries linking to slap
early 14c., rappe, "a quick, light blow; a resounding stroke," also "a fart" (late 15c.), native or borrowed from a Scandinavian source (compare Danish rap, Swedish rapp "light blow"); either way probably of imitative origin (compare slap, clap).
Slang meaning "a rebuke, the blame, responsibility" is from 1777; specific meaning "criminal indictment" (as in rap sheet, 1960) is from 1903; to beat the rap is from 1927. Meaning "music with improvised words" was in New York City slang by 1979 (see rap (v.2)).
also slap-dash, 1670s, "in a hasty, abrupt manner, with or as with a slap and a dash," from slap (v.) + dash (v.). As an adjective, "dashing, offhand, careless," from 1792. As a noun, "rough-coat, coarse plaster," applied as a preservative to exterior walls, from 1796.
More to explore
["a taste, flavor, savor" especially a slight flavor that suggests something, Middle English smakke, from Old English smæc "taste; scent, odor," from Proto-Germanic *smakka- (source also of Old Frisian smek, Middle Dutch smæck, Dutch smaak, Old High German smac, German Geschmack, ](/word/smack ""a taste, flavor, savor" especially a slight flavor that suggests something, Middle English smakke, from Old English smæc "taste; scent, odor," from Proto-Germanic *smakka- (source also of Old Frisian smek, Middle Dutch smæck, Dutch smaak, Old High German smac, German Geschmack, ")
[Middle English striken, from Old English strican (past tense strac, past participle stricen) "pass lightly over, stroke, smooth, rub" (senses now obsolete), also "go, move, proceed, make one's way," from Proto-Germanic *strikanan (source also of Old Norse strykva "to stroke," Old](/word/strike "Middle English striken, from Old English strican (past tense strac, past participle stricen) "pass lightly over, stroke, smooth, rub" (senses now obsolete), also "go, move, proceed, make one's way," from Proto-Germanic *strikanan (source also of Old Norse strykva "to stroke," Old")
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Dictionary entries near slap