Discussing used machinery you hear that term "clapped out" come up. I know it means worn to the point of unusability, but I wonder what it means literally. I have this vision of a bunch of Bull-of-the-Woods characters standing around an old grimy shop, applauding as a beloved old machine is finally hauled out to the scrapyard. They "clapped it out"? She was good in her day, and worthy of respect, but no longer useful?
I seem to remember that term being associated with mining.
May not be a good guess, but that's the only guess I have.
Now, why is it called 'the clap'?
Dave
About a one minute Google search will return your answer. From a French word relating to a rabbit's nest. Also a baudy house.
Paul
Ha-ha! Oh, rabbit's nest is a good one.
It's a British slang term from the 1940s. I used to hear it all the time among the sports car racing crowd in the 1960s, but I'm curious about what the OED says about it. Does anyone have access to it? My corporate access has expired.
-- Ed Huntress
don't shapers and planers have a "clapper" that holds the tool holder and swings out of the way on the return stroke? I guessed that was the origin. Randy
The OED has nothing on the origin. The earliest quotation is indeed from 1946, referring to "clapped out" American aircraft.
I don't know, Randy. I think that's a long reach -- but a clever one.
-- Ed Huntress
Don't various steam engines also have a "clapper" or "clap box"?
Pete
Forgot this, the striker in a bell is a 'clapper', maybe its describing a worn-out clapper?
Dave
Well, in '46, some jokester aircraft mech instead of saying "crapped out" may have translated this to the slant eyed devil "Ah, is clapped out". maybe.
~D
Ned Simm> The OED has nothing on the origin. The earliest quotation is indeed
It means being used up or Warn from age or heavy use.
Mart> >> Um, perahps the end of a sleazy career in the oldest profession? >> /m
wrote: (clip) maybe its
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Anyone remember the spoof of Dragnet, about the copper clapper caper?
Don't know the real answer, but clapped out as a euphemism for crapped out (much like "oh, shoot!") seems really likely.
Johnny Carson, on the 'Tonight Show'?
Yep, here it is.
technomaNge
"technomaNge" wrote: Yep, here it is.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Thanks! We laughed our asses off. BTW, did you notice that, while "Friday" had no trouble, Johnny Carson was having trouble keeping a straight face?
I recall hearing it also as "clappered out". Possibly "clabbered". Milk that has gone sour is clabbered. Maybe?
John Martin
Hmm... I saw Webb having a hard time keeping a straight face, and Carson failing completely. And even though not laughing at your own joke is the first rule of comedy, in this case it was almost funnier than the actual routine (which was hysterical).
Hmmm.... another guy and I did "Who's on First" for the Las Cruces Community Theatre One-Act festival last month. Getting the clearance to do "Copper Clapper Caper" would sure be fun next year....
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