# Origin of Clapping/Applause **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [December 16, 2006, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-clapping-applause/384436 "2006-12-16T22:10:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Full\_Metal\_Lotus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/df705f/32.png) [@Full\_Metal\_Lotus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Full_Metal_Lotus)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2006, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-clapping-applause/384436/1 "2006-12-16T22:10:33Z")
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 ---
**Author:** ![yabob](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yabob/32/2821_2.png) [@yabob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yabob)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2006, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-clapping-applause/384436/2 "2006-12-16T22:25:59Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![yabob](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yabob/32/2821_2.png) [@yabob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yabob)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2006, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-clapping-applause/384436/3 "2006-12-16T22:27:30Z")
Fooey. In addition to screwing up the VB tag, I forget to provide the link. Here: > **[Applause](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Applause)** > > Applause (Latin applaudere, to strike upon, clap) is primarily a form of ovation or praise expressed by the act of clapping, or striking the palms of the hands together, in order to create noise. Audiences usually applaud after a performance, such as a musical concert, speech, or play, as a sign of enjoyment and approval. > The age of the custom of applauding is uncertain, but it is widespread among human cultures. The variety of its forms is limited only by the capacity for devising means of maki... ---
**Author:** ![ryobserver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b2d939/32.png) [@ryobserver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ryobserver)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2006, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-clapping-applause/384436/4 "2006-12-16T23:57:44Z")
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). ---
**Author:** ![GorillaMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/50afbb/32.png) [@GorillaMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GorillaMan)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2006, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-clapping-applause/384436/5 "2006-12-17T00:03:10Z")
[QUOTE=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. [/QUOTE] 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. ---
**Author:** ![GorillaMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/50afbb/32.png) [@GorillaMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GorillaMan)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2006, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-clapping-applause/384436/6 "2006-12-17T00:06:39Z")
[QUOTE=ryobserver] they drum or shuffle their feet. [/QUOTE] Meant to post this as well… This is the message to the soloist(s) or conductor that the audience are after an encore. ---
**Author:** ![DaveRaver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/daveraver/32/1078_2.png) [@DaveRaver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DaveRaver)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2006, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-clapping-applause/384436/7 "2006-12-17T02:28:39Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![AskNott](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asknott/32/5790_2.png) [@AskNott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AskNott)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2006, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-clapping-applause/384436/8 "2006-12-18T18:13:24Z")
I’ve seen orchestra members applauding by tapping their instruments. It seems to be impolite for them to clap.