noun General Slang

Slap

/slæp/ · noun · slang

Polari for make-up — the greasepaint of theatre folk, slapped on the eek.

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Definitions

1

By extension, the act of making up the eek, central to drag and camp self-presentation.

“Half a tin of slap and she was transformed.”
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2

In Polari, make-up or cosmetics, especially heavy stage make-up. The term comes from theatrical slang, where greasepaint was 'slapped' on the face.

“Give me five minutes to put my slap on.”
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3

Reflects Polari's deep theatrical roots, shared with travelling players and music-hall performers.

“Backstage smelled of slap, smoke and cheap perfume.”
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Slap In A Sentence

She wouldn't answer the door until her slap was perfect.
A bit of slap on the eek and the years just fell away.
He kept his slap in an old biscuit tin under the bed.

Origin & Usage

Polari and theatrical slang of 20th-century Britain; 'slap' for make-up comes from the stage, where greasepaint was slapped on, and is listed among Polari terms by Paul Baker.

Variants slapped up
Tags #polari#lgbtq#british#heritage#vintage#style

People Also Ask

What does slap mean in Polari?

It means make-up, especially heavy theatrical make-up.

Where does slap come from?

From theatre slang, where greasepaint was 'slapped' onto the face.

Why is slap linked to drag?

Make-up is central to camp and drag self-presentation, and 'slap' was the everyday Polari word for it.

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