h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Anyone know where clapping originated? It's rather strange when you think about it. I would imagine it evolved from something?

You often see monkeys doing it, so I presume it's innate. I think it comes from animals making noise when they're excited - we squeal and clap, as do monkeys, dogs bark, elephants trumpet, etc. Presumably the more reserved form of clapping that you observe in a theatre is just a modified version of this innate expression of unbridled glee.

That's what I think anyway!

I was once told, though I can't confirm this, although it seems logical, that it is a kind of long-range hug. You're too far away to hug or pat on the back so, like blowing a kiss, I send a hug through the air as a clap.

Complete b****cks probably but there it is.

F

Do you mean clapping, or applause? Clapping, I think we have dealt with - it's an obvious thing to do with your hands if you're a primate-type think. As for applause - well I rmember stories abot early theatres where you drummed your feet on the floorboards instead of clapping (I believe there may be some places with kickboards still in existence) - it's simply the easiest way to pass on your opinion to the performers.

Clapping encores hurts your hands though....

I recall seeing Desmond Morris giving his explanation of the origin of clapping. I can't recall what it was, but I'm sure you could find it in one of his books.

I was once told that applauding in theatres was, once upon a time, done _before_ a performance as a means of exorcising the venue of any ill-meaning spirits

I have no idea if this is in any way accurate, and I can't remember who told me...

I'll be interested to see if anyone here refutes/endorses this theory

Interesting you should say that six7's ... Tibetans clap to ward of evil in general ... when the chinese went wandering into Lhasa to "liberate" it all the Tibetans clapped as they passed which the chinese thought to be welcoming whereas in fact they were trying to rid themselves of "evil"