claptrap (2009-09-24)

Part of Speech: noun

Pronunciation: ['klæp-træp]

Definition: Pretentious, insincere speech designed to gain applause; a trick or phrase designed to capture praise.

Usage: Remember, claptrap is not just drivel, but drivel designed to stimulate a positive response, "She tried to extenuate her embezzlement with claptrap about motherhood and devotion to the family." The more unpalatable the affair, the more likely it is to emerge, "Expect a barrage of patriotic claptrap whenever we set off to war."

Suggested Usage: We are not calling today's word slang, though it is a bit slangy. It is uncomfortable in formal written English and probably should be limited to conversation. In its second sense it may be used in the plural, as "claptraps like 'God bless America' and 'Home, sweet home'." In the most widely used sense, as in today's Suggested Usage, it is a mass noun with no plural.

Etymology: Originally, today's word had two references in British theater. First, it was a device that made the sound of clapping before canned applause was invented. (This is not to be confused with the slapstick, a device for making the sound of a slap for 'slapstick' farce.) It later came to refer to a line guaranteed to garner applause, such as "Britannia rule the waves." Hence today's meaning of cheap, showy sentiment expressed solely for effect.