English
slap
Slap comes from Middle English slappen.
- Middle Englishc. 1150–1500slappen
- Englishearliest quotation 1864slap
attested reconstructed ? uncertain or disputed
Lineage
- Middle Englishc. 1150–1500slappen
- Englishearliest quotation 1864slap
Earliest quotation: 1864, Tony Pastor, John F. Poole: “They called the tom-cat to the trap, / Who…”
Every English word from Middle English slappen
Today it means
noun A blow, especially one given with the open hand, or with something broad and flat.
Language periods are conventional ranges, not dates for this word.
Etymograph / Middle English slappen / slap