- clapback
What does Clapback mean?
Gen Slang Word Clapback is used or popularized by Gen Z and Gen Alpha. Understand the definition of Clapback so that we can better use it. Language is constantly evolving, especially among the younger generation. Mastering emerging slang can help adults (such as parents and teachers) better understand the way young people think and their cultural background, and avoid the gap caused by the generation gap.
The Definition of Clapback
Definition: Swift and witty response to an insult or critique..
Examples: "He was being mocked, so he clapped back and made the whole room go quiet."
Variations: Clap back, Clapped back
Origin: Derived from the eponymous 2003 song "Clap Back" by rapper Ja Rule, which was a diss track against 50 Cent and Eminem, where the term was used to describe how Ja Rule and his crew would shoot those who oppose him. Garnered popularity on Twitter.
Alphabetical Index of Slang Words
Generation Z, often abbreviated as Gen Z and colloquially referred to as Zoomers, includes individuals born from 1997 to the early 2010s. The Pew Research Center defines this generation as spanning from 1997 to 2012. This definition has been acknowledged by both the United States Library of Congress and Statistics Canada. A 2022 report from the U.S. Census Bureau identifies Generation Z as those born from 1997 to 2013. Members of this generation experienced the onset and consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic during their childhood or early adulthood.
Generation Alpha, or Gen Alpha, is the cohort that follows Generation Z. Researchers and popular media generally consider the early 2010s as the starting point for this generation, with the mid-2020s marking its conclusion. Generation Alpha is notable for being the first generation born entirely in the 21st century. By 2015, approximately 2.5 million individuals were born each week globally, and it is projected that Gen Alpha will reach nearly two billion in size by 2025.