claptrap

Meaning

1. (countable, uncountable) Empty verbiage or nonsense.
2. (countable, historical, uncountable) A device for producing a clapping sound in theaters.
3. (countable, uncountable) A device or trick to gain applause; a humbug.

Synonyms

bombast

balderdash

humbug

nonsense

rant

fustian

blah

tommyrot

piffle

tosh

twaddle

cobblers

contraption

contrivance

deception

device

double talk

drivel

drool

dungeon

expedient

fiddle-faddle

fiddlesticks

folderol

gab

gabble

garbage

🗑️

garrulity

garrulousness

gas

gobbledygook

hogwash

hokum

hooey

hot air

imposture

maneuver

manoeuvre

moonshine

mumbo jumbo

palaver

pap

prate

prattle

quackery

quirk

rattle

rigamarole

rubbish

ruff

Translations

yağcılık

verbiage

galimatias

Effekthascherei

sproloquio

🧇

Geschwätz

charabia

Gerede

τέχνασμα

algaravia

ανοησίες

μπούρδα

φλυαρία

Gequatsche

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈklæpˌtɹæp/

Etymology

Theater slang, c. 1730, from clap + trap, referring to theatrical techniques or gags used to incite applause.