slap (English)
Where does "slap" come from?
The English adjective 'slap' has roots in the Middle English 'slappen'[1]. Its exact origin remains uncertain, though it is possibly imitative[1]. Related forms include the Low German 'Slappe' meaning 'slap', the German 'Schlappe' meaning 'defeat', and the Italian 'sleppa' meaning 'slap'.
Open questions
- The ultimate origin of Middle English slappen is uncertain, with imitative formation suggested as a possibility. [1]
Full etymology tree
- slap (English), 'Very good, excellent, amazing.'
- derived slappen (Middle English)
Cognates and doublets
- Schlappe (German)
- sleppa (Italian)
Sources
Updated August 2026
Etymology data from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0 · About Miraris