Jackson Reed
Do Not Play: Slap Up Breakfast is a song by Jessica. The phrase slap-up is a colloquial slang term that means excellent, first-rate, grand, or lavish. It is often used in the context of a meal, such as a slap-up breakfast, to indicate that the food is delicious and of superior quality. The phrase originated in the 19th century, with the earliest reference cited from 1829, and was popularized by Charles Dickens in his novels, where he used the expression slap-bang to refer to a cheap meal.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Meaning | Excellent, top-notch, sumptuous, princely, first-rate, grand, lavish |
| Origin | Likely from a Dickens novel, where "slap-bang" indicated a cheap meal |
| Origin Year | 19th century |
| Synonyms | Luxurious, lavish, sumptuous, princely |
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What You'll Learn
The meaning of 'slap-up'
The phrase "slap-up" is an adjective meaning "excellent", "terrific", "delicious", "sumptuous", "grand", or "lavish". It is often used in the context of food, as in "a slap-up meal", "a slap-up breakfast", or "a slap-up dinner". The phrase originated in the 19th century, with the earliest reference cited from 1829, and was likely first used by Charles Dickens in one of his novels, where it referred to a cheap meal. The phrase is thought to have derived from the act of "slapping down" money and "banging down" food in cheap eating houses. Over time, the phrase evolved to refer to something exceedingly good, luxurious, or of superior quality. It is considered colloquial slang and is typically used to describe a large, enjoyable meal, regardless of the occasion or the quality of the food.
The term "slap-up" is also mentioned in Thackeray's "The Newcomes", where it is used to describe something first-rate or grand: "The more slap-up still have two shields painted on the panel with the coronet over". The phrase has also been used to describe someone's fine clothes. In addition, the term "slap-up do" is used to describe a grand or lavish event or celebration.
The phrase "slap-up" is believed to be a Northern variant of the term "bang-up", which is used to describe something well done. The "up" in "slap-up" and "bang-up" may have originally been meant in a literal sense, referring to being "up to snuff" or "up to a line". The similar phrase "slap-bang" is also believed to have originated from the act of banging down money for a meal, with the "slap" and "bang" referring to the immediacy of payment.
In summary, the phrase "slap-up" has evolved over time to become a positive adjective describing something excellent, first-rate, or lavish, especially when used in the context of food to describe a hearty and enjoyable meal.
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The origin of the term 'slap-up'
The term "slap-up", meaning excellent, first-rate, grand, or sumptuous, appears to have originated in the 19th century. It is particularly associated with British English and is often used to describe a meal, as in "a slap-up meal".
The phrase likely comes from the earlier expression slap-bang, which referred to a cheap meal. In his novel, Charles Dickens used the phrase to describe meals at cheap eating houses, where people would bang their money down on the table as the food was served. The "slap-bang shop", a restaurant where one paid in advance, was cited in the Lexicon Balatronicum of 1811. Over time, the term evolved from a negative adjective ("slap-down") to a positive one ("slap-up").
The OED's first attestation of "slap-up" is as a slang term from the North of England, a variant of "bang-up", meaning "exactly up to snuff". The addition of "up" to "slap" may have been a literal use of the preposition, rather than an arbitrary affixing.
The verb "slap" has also acquired a similar informal meaning in recent years, as in "this slaps", referring to something good.
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'Slap-up' in literature
The phrase "slap-up" is used colloquially to refer to a large meal, as in the sentence, "I'm dying of hunger, I'm gonna get home and have a slap-up meal." While the phrase does not refer to the quality of the meal, it is not typically used in formal contexts, where one might instead refer to a "lavish meal" or "sumptuous banquet."
The phrase "slap-up" has also been used in literature and popular culture, often in a figurative sense. For example, an article on The Write Practice, titled "Six Elements to a Story that Won't Get You Slapped," uses the word "slap" in a figurative sense to convey strong criticism or disapproval.
Additionally, "The Slap" is the title of a novel by Australian author Christos Tsiolkas, published in 2008. The narrative revolves around the reactions of eight distinct characters after one of them, Harry, slaps his friend's four-year-old son, Hugo, during a social gathering. This incident sparks intense debate among the characters regarding the justification for striking a child. The novel has been adapted into two miniseries, one in Australia and the other in the United States, as well as an American series that premiered on NBC in February 2015.
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'Slap-up' in modern usage
The phrase "slap-up" is an adjective meaning excellent, first-rate, grand, terrific, or delicious. It is often used in the context of food, such as a slap-up meal or a slap-up breakfast, to indicate that the food is luxurious, lavish, or sumptuous. The phrase originated in the 19th century, with the earliest reference cited from 1829, and was commonly used in the time of Charles Dickens.
The exact etymology of the phrase is unclear, but it is believed to have originated from the phrase "slap-bang", which referred to a cheap meal. In a slap-bang shop, people would bang their money down on the table as the food was served, indicating that the meal was paid for immediately and there was no credit given. Over time, the phrase evolved from a negative connotation of "slap-down" to a more positive "slap-up", with the "up" perhaps added to indicate a sense of being up to snuff or exactly right.
In modern usage, "slap-up" is used colloquially to describe something positive, especially when referring to food. For example, one might say "I'm starving, I'm gonna get home and have a slap-up meal" or "let's go out for a slap-up dinner to celebrate". While it can be used in formal contexts, it is more commonly used in informal or slang contexts, and other words might be chosen for special occasions, such as "a lavish meal" or "a sumptuous banquet".
The phrase has also been used more broadly to describe something of superior quality, such as "a slap-up turnout" to describe a handsome carriage, or "slap-up clothes". In these contexts, synonyms such as luxurious, sumptuous, or princely could be used interchangeably with "slap-up".
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'Slap-up' in music
The phrase "slap-up" has been used to describe music as excellent, terrific, delicious, top-notch, sumptuous, first-rate, grand, and lavish. The phrase originated in the 19th century, with the earliest reference cited from 1829, and was used to describe a cheap meal where one banged their money down on the table as the food was served. The phrase comes from a Dickens novel, where he used the expression slap-bang to refer to a cheap meal. Over time, the phrase evolved from a negative adjective to a positive one, with "slap-up" being used to describe something exceedingly good.
While the phrase "slap-up" is typically associated with food, it can also be used in a more general sense to describe something that is of superior quality or particularly enjoyable. For example, one might say that they had a "slap-up time" at a concert, meaning that they had a wonderful time and the music was excellent.
In the context of music, one might use the phrase "slap-up" to describe a performance or recording that is particularly enjoyable or well-executed. For example, one might say that a band's latest album is a "slap-up collection of songs" or that a live performance was a "slap-up show". The phrase adds a layer of enthusiasm and excitement to the description, conveying that the music exceeded one's expectations or was especially satisfying.
Additionally, the phrase "slap-up" can also be used to describe the quality of sound or production. For example, a producer might describe a song as having a "slap-up sound", indicating that the mix is well-balanced, the instrumentation is crisp and clear, and the overall sonic experience is highly enjoyable. In this sense, "slap-up" conveys a level of technical excellence and attention to detail that enhances the listening experience.
In conclusion, the phrase "slap-up" in music conveys a sense of excellence, enjoyment, and high quality. Whether used to describe a performance, recording, or production, "slap-up" suggests that the music has exceeded expectations and provided a terrific experience for the listener. This phrase, with its origins in the 19th century, continues to be a vibrant and expressive way to celebrate and appreciate exceptional musical experiences.
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Frequently asked questions
'Slap-up' means first-rate, grand, or lavish. It is used to describe something of superior quality.
The term 'slap-up' originated in the 19th century, likely from a Dickens novel where he used the expression "slap-bang" to refer to a cheap meal. The term evolved over time from a negative adjective to a positive one.
In modern usage, 'slap-up' is often used to describe a meal or dining experience that is luxurious, sumptuous, or excellent. For example, one might say, "I'm dying of hunger, I'm gonna get home and have a slap-up meal."
