slap English · revision 10758

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=onomatopoeia|attested=c. 1450}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /slæp/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is of imitative origin,^(Etymonline)^(Cresswell 2021)^(Hoad 1986) similar to Low German slapp, a blow, and German Schlappe.^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986)^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ A smart blow, especially with the open hand: about 1450 as slappe,^(Barnhart 1988) the mid-15th century in Etymonline;^(Etymonline) 1648 in the OED, which doubts earlier instances.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The verb, to strike with the open hand, is from the late 15th century.^(Etymonline) The adverb, suddenly, is from the 1670s, and directly from 1829 (''slap in the middle'').^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024) The figurative sense, an insult or rebuke, is attested by 1736^(Etymonline) (''a slap in the face'').^(Collins 2023) ''Slap and tickle'', playful amorous activity, is by 1915.^(Etymonline) ''Slapdash'' is from the 17th century,^(Hoad 1986) and ''slap-happy'' from 1936.^(Etymonline) To put something somewhere carelessly or quickly (''slap on some paint'') is by 1836.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 1450 – a blow with the hand.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * late 15th century – to slap (verb).^(Etymonline)

+ * 1670s – suddenly (adverb).^(Etymonline)

+ * 1736 – an insult.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1915 – slap and tickle.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A sharp blow with the open hand or something flat; a [[smack]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # The sound of such a blow.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A sharp insult or rebuke: ''a slap in the face''.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ===Verb===

+ # To strike with the open hand or something flat.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # To put somewhere quickly or carelessly: ''to slap on paint''.^(AHD)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ===Adverb===

+ # ''(informal)'' Directly and with force: ''slap in the middle''.^(AHD)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[slapper]]

+ * [[slaphappy]]

+ * [[backslap]]

+ * [[slapdash]]

+ * [[slapstick]]

+ * [[unslapped]]

+ * [[slap-up]]

+ * [[slap-bang]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[smack]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ Merriam-Webster records a separate slap, a gap or opening, as in a wall, from Middle Dutch slop.^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}