Saturday, March 7, 2009

The Clap

I have often wondered, sometimes aloud "why do we clap"? When we approve of something, or are happy, excited, or whatever, why is it that banging our hands together is the way we show approval? I guess there are worse ways to demonstrate (monkeys throwing poo comes to mind). I've seen all three of my children as babies clap their hands in excitement at a toy and wondered it each time I saw it. Is it something in our genes? Clearly, as babies we're not "taught" to clap our hands, it just happens.

I saw an article on MSN the other day: http://lifestyle.msn.com/your-life/bigger-picture/articlees.aspx?cp-documentid=17989390&GT1=32001. It is about the silent histor of clapping. I couldn't click on the link fast enough. Maybe, just maybe, this article will shed some light. Nope, not really. Just a few theories. If anyone has the answer, I'd love to hear it.

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