Where does “handclapping” come from?
handclapping (English) comes from English Hand, from Middle English hond, from Old English hand, from Proto-West Germanic handu, from Swedish hand, from Old Swedish hand, from Old Norse hǫnd, from Proto-Germanic handuz — hand.
handclapping (English): The activity of clapping hands, especially as...
Definitions
- The activity of clapping hands, especially as...
Ancestry of “handclapping”, step by step
handclapping traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.
via English Hand
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | Hand | The part of the forelimb below the forearm or wrist in a human, and the corresponding part in many other animals |
| 2 | Middle English | hond | hand; Alternative form of hound |
| 3 | Old English | hand | A hand |
| 4 | Proto-West Germanic | handu | hand |
| 5 | Swedish | hand | A hand; A hand; the set of cards held by a player |
| 6 | Old Swedish | hand | A hand; A direction; A behalf |
| 7 | Old Norse | hǫnd | hand |
| 8 | Proto-Germanic | handuz | hand |
via English clapping
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | clapping | present participle of clap; The action by which... |
| 2 | Middle English | clappynge | A loud noise, especially as made by clapping or... |
| 3 | Middle English | clappen | To make a loud noise, especially by talking or... |
| 4 | Old English | clæppan | to throb |
| 5 | Proto-Germanic | klappōną | To strike or pound; To make loud noises,... |