clap, the

Definition

clap, the

rate

(Adult / Slang)

Gonorrhea. A dose of the clap , a case of gonorrhea. Not to be confused with clapped out , an expression of the 1960-70s meaning worn out, exhausted. See gonorrhea for synonyms.
Etymology: From the 16 ^th century French word clapoir , a swelling in the groin symptomatic of gonorrhea.

Quotes:

(1) Captain Francis Grose. Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue (1811): ' A venereal taint. He went out by Had'em, and came round by Clapham home; i.e. he went out a wenching, and got the clap.'

(2) In a Monty Python's Flying Circus sketch entitled Oscar Wilde, Too (1973), Oscar Wilde (Terry Gilliam) and Jim (John Cleese) are entertaining royalty with their wit:
-- Oscar: ' Your Majesty is like a dose of the clap.'
-- Jim: ' Before you arrive is pleasure, after you leave is a pain in the dark.'

(3) R. Reisner & L. Wechsler. Encyclopedia of Graffiti (1974): ' V.D. is nothing to clap about.'

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clap, the

Definition

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