You’ve got the clap. But you’re not exactly sure what the clap is outside of it being an STD – and no one wants one of those. We’re going to delve a little deeper into this STD to try and determine what exactly it is and the proper medical term for this condition.
What Is The Official Definition Of The Clap?
The clap is actually a sexually transmitted infection (STI).
This is a bacterial infection that is one of the oldest known STDs in history, and the root cause of the clap is the Neisseria gonorrhoeae bacteria.
Reading this name, you’ll also find what most people know the clap by: gonorrhea.
Gonorrhea and the clap are one in the same. This is a common STD/STI that is diagnosed in more than 3 million people per year and is rather short-term, resolving itself within just days or weeks in most cases.
Why Is Gonorrhea Called the Clap?
We don’t get to talk much about how a disease gets its name, or in this case, its nickname. Many people refer to gonorrhea by one of two other names:
- The Clap
- The Drip
And no one is 100% positive why this disease is called the clap. What we do know is that there are some major theories that point to the name’s origination, but since gonorrhea has been around for centuries, these are just theories and not 100% fact.
Theory 1: “Clapier”
Prostitutes have been known to spread disease, especially in the old days when hygiene wasn’t as much of a priority, and sanitation and protection against diseases was less prevalent. The word “Clapier” is derived from French, and in French, this word means: brothels.
The word could also mean: rabbit’s nest or hutch.
And if there is one thing that we know for sure, it’s that rabbits have an intense sex drive. Going off of this information, it can be assumed that “the clap” comes from “the clapier,” a place where STDs may be far more common.
The disease itself also came to be known as “clapier bubo.” The “bubo” refers to an infection of the groin.
Theory 2: A Scary Treatment
As any man knows, the penis is rather sensitive. One theory is that men used to “clap” their hands together on the penis to try and get rid of any pus or discharge that was left. We don’t recommend any men actually try this treatment.
Theory 3: “Clappan”
The final theory comes from the word “clappan.” An English word, clappan can be defined as: to beat or to throb. Gonorrhea is known to provide a burning and painful sensation as well as throbbing, so it woul