rapper English · revision 10780

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=1610s|origins=en rap}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: UK /ˈræp.ə/, US /ˈræp.ɚ/^(LDOCE 2009)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is an agent noun from the verb [[rap]] and [[-er]].^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ One who or that which raps, in any sense: the 1610s in Etymonline, 1611 in Merriam-Webster.^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ A door knocker is from the 1630s,^(Etymonline) a great lie in slang from 1683,^(GDoS) and a spirit-rapper, who claims to receive knocks from spirits, from 1755.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) A professional perjurer is from 1725 in Green and 1840 in Etymonline.^(GDoS)^(Etymonline) In American prison slang a rapper was a prosecutor (1904),^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) and an itinerant buyer of antiques with a tinge of shadiness from 1914.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) The sense of a performer of rap music emerged about 1979.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1610s – one who raps.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1630s – a door knocker.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1683 – a big lie (slang).^(GDoS)

+ * 1755 – a spirit-rapper.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+ * c. 1979 – a rap musician.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A performer of [[rap]] music.^(AHD)^(LDOCE 2009)

+ # A person or thing that raps or knocks, such as a door knocker.^(AHD)^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[rap]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ Merriam-Webster also records the rapper of the north-east English sword dance, probably from [[rapier]] by folk etymology.^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}