Origin of Clapping/Applause

[Full_Metal_Lotus]

I got to wondering about applause. Where did it start (as a practice) and are there any other forms an audience has of showing approval? I am a new user, and will be subscribing (xmas gift from wife, I have been a VERY good boy indeed!), so if this question has been addressed before, a link to the column would be appreciated!

Any ideas?

regards
FML

[yabob]

I had always understood that the Romans snapped their fingers. According to wiki, they also clapped if they liked it better, or waved their togas if they really liked it:

The custom of applauding may be as old and as widespread as humanity, and the variety of its forms is limited only by the capacity for devising means of making a noise. Within each culture, however, it is usually subject to conventions. The Romans had a set ritual of applause for public performances, expressing degrees of approval: snapping the finger and thumb, clapping with the flat or hollow palm, waving the flap of the toga, for which last the emperor Aurelian substituted a handkerchief (orarium), distributed to all Roman citizens (see Stole). In the theatre, at the close of the play, the chief actor called out “Valete et plaudite!”, and the audience, guided by an unofficial choregus, chaunted their applause antiphonally. This was often organized and paid for.

[yabob]

Fooey. In addition to screwing up the VB tag, I forget to provide the link. Here:

Applause

[ryobserver]

Alternative applause: Next time you’re at the symphony (or watching one on TV), watch the musicians when it’s time to applaud the conductor. They don’t clap; they drum or shuffle their feet. If they clapped they’d risk dropping their instruments, and they aren’t about to do that.

Other alternatives or supplements are cheering, throwing flowers or confetti, and in the US, whistling (for audiences outside the US, whistling is booing).

[GorillaMan]

@ryobserver

Alternative applause: Next time you’re at the symphony (or watching one on TV), watch the musicians when it’s time to applaud the conductor. They don’t clap; they drum or shuffle their feet.

Nonsense. Many can clap easily while holding their instruments. Others (for instance violinists) can clap one hand against against a thigh while holding the violin and bow. This is excepting ridicule of latecomers etc.

[GorillaMan]

@ryobserver

they drum or shuffle their feet.

Meant to post this as well…

This is the message to the soloist(s) or conductor that the audience are after an encore.

[DaveRaver]

I’ve heard that clapping originated as a symbolic way of touching the performer in a situation such as a crowd where physically doing so would be impractical.

[AskNott]

I’ve seen orchestra members applauding by tapping their instruments. It seems to be impolite for them to clap.