slaps

Slaps refers to the act of striking someone or something with an open hand, creating a sharp impact and sound. It can also describe a wide range of related uses of the open-hand strike in different contexts, from discipline and self-defense to performance and music.

Physically, a slap can cause pain, sting, or injury, depending on force, location, and the recipient's vulnerability. In many jurisdictions, intentional slapping is considered a form of assault; consent, intent, and proportionality matter in evaluating legality. Slaps can be part of cultural rituals or affectionate gestures in some societies, but they are generally discouraged in public or professional settings.

Slapstick is a genre of humor that uses exaggerated, physical action, including slap incidents, to create comedy without serious intent. In film and theatre, slapstick relies on timing, pratfalls, and surprising impact, often with safety measures.

In music, "slap" refers to a percussive technique used on bass guitar and electric sub-bass instruments. Slap bass involves striking the strings with the thumb to produce a percussive tone, sometimes accompanied by popping the strings with the fingers. The technique became prominent in funk and R&B during the 1960s and 1970s, with Larry Graham among its early innovators.

In slang usage, "slap" or "slaps" means that something is excellent or highly enjoyable, especially a song or a performance; the phrase "that slaps" is common in online discourse and youth culture.