Etymology

slap

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Today it means: A blow, especially one given with the open hand, or with something broad and flat. Full definition →

Middle English slappen
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The story

  1. Middle English · inherited fromslappen
  2. English todayslap

From Middle English slappen, of uncertain origin, possibly imitative. Compare Low German Slappe (“slap”), whence also German Schlappe (“defeat”). Compare also Italian sleppa (“slap”).

Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.