arch. [f. CLAP v.1 + DISH.] A wooden dish with a lid, formerly carried by lepers, beggars from the lazar-houses, and mendicants generally, to give warning of their approach, and to receive alms.
[1567. Turberv., Ovid’s Ep., 39. And banisht begge hir breade with dish and clap. Ibid., Poems (1587), When Cressid clapt the dish and Lazer-like did goe.]
1577. Holinshed, Chron., IV. 412. The poore lazer sicke people of the Magdalen, whose maner and usage was then, with a clapdish upon everie market daie to resort and come to the markets, and there to beg.
1607. Chapman, Bussy d’Ambois, Plays, 1873, II. 43. A great man … That affects royaltie, rising from a clapdish.
1624. Massinger, Parl. Love, II. ii. A leper, with a clap-dish to give notice He is infectious.
a. 1825. Forby, Voc. E. Anglia, Clap-dish, Its name survives only in a ludicrous comparison. Of a great prater it is said, that ‘his tongue moves like a beggar’s clap-dish.’
1863. Sala, Capt. Dang., II. vii. 226. A perfect chaos of clap-dishes … Impostors, fittous cripples, and gambling bullies.
† b. Jocularly used of a talkative mouth. Obs.
1614. J. Cooke, Th Quoque, in Hazl., Dodsley, II. 274. Hold your clapdish, fasten your tongue Unto your roof.
1633. Ford, Love’s Sacr., III. i. Come stop your clapdish.
