Street voices
Janna
·
United States
"Clapped, it's a synonym for chopped, basically something or someone ugly, bad, or whatever. Basically unattractive. An example would be, oof, you're gonna wear that? That fit is clapped."
What it means
Used when something’s looking knackered, tatty or straight-up ugly, like it’s been through ten rounds with a curb. You’ll hear it for cars, trainers, phones, gaffs, anything that’s seen better days. People use it for someone’s looks too, but that’s peak rude. Basically the opposite of fresh, it’s clapped-out and not worth flexing. Often shows up in group chats and TikTok captions, no mercy.
Usage examples
"You seen Kyle’s new motor? Paid a grand and it’s already clapped, wing mirror taped on and the exhaust sounding like a Tesco trolley on cobbles"
"My uncle is still driving a clapped Vauxhall Cavalier from nineteen ninety-three with three of the four electric windows broken, a tape deck instead of a radio, and a brave little engine that hesitates at every roundabout."
"Bro, your trainers are properly clapped after the muddy walk back from the canal, the laces are gone, the toe is split, and the sole is hanging on by the kind of glue that should not exist in nature any more."
"That phone's clapped, mate. Screen looks like it's lost a fight and the battery dies if you even look at it funny."
"I can't wear these Air Forces out, they're clapped to bits. Creased up, dirty sole, whole thing's begging for retirement."
Where it comes from
Clapped is a clipped British slang form of clapped-out, which has been used in UK English since the early 1900s for something worn out or barely working. Later, especially in London and wider UK youth speech, it got shortened and broadened to mean ugly, wrecked, rough-looking, or fully past it.
Other ways to say it
Editors of this term
Nosy Button Harvester Official watcher of this expression
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