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Why do we applaud a great performance?
Topic Started: Mar 4 2009, 01:42 AM (423 Views)
Mystical
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Why do we applaud a great performance? Why not stand on our heads or click our heels instead? Who started this hand-clapping stuff?

Hear, hear! Huzzah! Bravo! Excellent question. Superb, really. And ultimately unanswerable. As Elwyn Simons, head of Duke University's Division of Fossil Primates, tells AF, "We don't know how far back it goes, not without a time machine. Cavemen and human ancestors — we don't know whether they clapped hands or not. But you don't find primates doing it unless they've been taught to do it. They do clap hands in the wild. It's not to applaud something; it's because they're frightened or want to call attention to food."

Yvette Blanchard, a pediatric physical therapist and researcher at the University of Hartford, says that human clappers are made, not born. "I think it's a learned behavior. What I've seen babies do spontaneously, from excitement, is clasp their hands together. But the motion of clapping, I think that's a learned behavior."

As to clapping's association with audience approval, Jay Fisher, a classics professor at Yale University, dates the custom to at least the third century B.C. "You see it at the end of a lot of plays by Plautus and Terence, where they have this word plaudite, which is an imperative [meaning] 'applause,' 'clap.'"

It's worth noting that the ancient Romans also demonstrated their approval of a public performance with finger-snapping, and that modern Canadian concertgoers signal delight by screeching at the organ-grinder's monkey.

http://lifestyle.msn.com/your-life/bigger-picture/articlees.aspx?cp-documentid=17989390&GT1=32001
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The Mule
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Beast of Burden
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I've been known to applaud RECORDED live performances....

but I hate when people applaud DURING the songs......grrrr
...I knew I should have picked a higher mammal....
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Welsh Shaun
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Quiz Master
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So we are none the wiser then? (Lol)
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Delovely
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In Fine Artistry

We applaud a great performance because we want to cheer the spirit of those true performances. We are applauding a demonstration of all of the significance the word spirit entails for us, like honor, respect, courage, humility, excellence, commitment, tenacity, and goes on of all virtues. So by giving them inspiration and encouragement through applaud, we're filling their human spirit and giving them a boost to create better and more entertainment for our satisfaction. :yes:

Okay now go ahead and applaud me for sharing my thoughts! :lol:
Some things must be handled smoothly, quietly.

"When you are deluded and full of doubt, even a thousand books of wisdom are not enough. When you have realized understanding, even one word is too much."
~*~


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Mystical
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Applause .....applause Delovely....very well said...
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Delovely
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In Fine Artistry

Thanks, hon. :)
Some things must be handled smoothly, quietly.

"When you are deluded and full of doubt, even a thousand books of wisdom are not enough. When you have realized understanding, even one word is too much."
~*~


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LarryOldtimer
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The Man!!!
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Posted Image Just for you, Delovely.

I personally think that it is merely a matter of communication. That is, showing appreciation by making noise. The right sort of noise, that is. And the louder the noise can be made, the more the demonstration of appreciation.

There are, of course, loud noises which can be made which show other than appreciation. :lmao:
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Prison Break
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Higher Species
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another kind of applause for other kind of appreciation.....lol

well said......big applause for delovely.. *CLAPS*
"Those who say they can't do things are inept" -by Nora P.
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Delovely
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In Fine Artistry

Thank you, Larry and PB. :huggies:
Some things must be handled smoothly, quietly.

"When you are deluded and full of doubt, even a thousand books of wisdom are not enough. When you have realized understanding, even one word is too much."
~*~


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LarryOldtimer
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The Man!!!
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What male could ever turn down a request from a lass who is delicious, delightful and Delovely? I wouldn't be in the least surprised if Delovely could Posted Image as well. Posted Image
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Mystical
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Oh I'm sure Delovely also has the talent of dance Larry. hehe...
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Delovely
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I do, I do, I do! "dance" :elephant: :lol:

:thankyou:
Some things must be handled smoothly, quietly.

"When you are deluded and full of doubt, even a thousand books of wisdom are not enough. When you have realized understanding, even one word is too much."
~*~


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Max
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Pickle barrel, pickle barrel, Kumquat!
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*Sighs* Is there anything Del can't do? "Flirt"
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