Clapstick

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A pair of wooden percussion instruments held in one hand and struck together to produce rhythmic sounds, traditionally used in Indigenous Australian music
2. A wooden musical device that involves striking two sticks together to create sound, commonly used in rhythm-based performances across various cultures
3. An instrument consisting of two pieces of wood that are clapped together, producing a sharp sound commonly used in musical and theatrical performances

Etymology: The name is about as plain as compounds get: "clap" and "stick" joined together, describing exactly what the instrument does. A clapstick is two pieces of wood, usually hardwood, that are struck against each other to produce a sharp crack, and that crack is then used to mark time or cue a performance. Its job is to be heard, which is why the name points to the action rather than to the instrument's shape or material. The word "clap" traces back to an Old English verb meaning to strike or to make a noise by striking, and "stick" comes from Old English "sticca," a piece cut from a tree or shrub. Put together, the compound describes the simplest possible musical act: wood hitting wood. The same idea shows up in the film and television slate, where a hinged clapper is snapped shut to mark the start of a take.

Synonyms: slapstick, comedy prop, noisemaker