Think About It Thursday - Clapping Hands

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There are many things in life that if you really think about it are pretty weird and strange...  Take for example clapping hands to show approval.  Where did this social norm even come from?  Someone does something we like and we slap our hands together like goofy seals. Pretty freaking strange!


So where/when did this behavior start?  Well, no one really knows.  It goes far back to the Romans who would snap fingers, stomp feet and clap hands.  Other cultures and old Christian churches waived linens to show applause.  So where the heck did clapping come from and why do so many cultures around the world do it?


One interesting thing is that babies start at a young age to do this to show excitement.  Did they learn it from the parents or is it just inherent?  Many animals clap when excited.  Some theories suggest it stems from early humanity when they would sit around a fire and clap rhythms.  Perhaps it started there.  However, the farthest back documented clapping is the Romans.  So maybe it is something we will never know, but sure is strange to think about!

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