Claque
[KLAK]
Part of speech: noun
Origin: French, mid 19th century
1.
A group of sycophantic followers.
2.
A group of people hired to applaud (or heckle) a performer or public speaker.
Examples of Claque in a sentence
"Some political leaders arrange to have claques at their public speeches."
"A lot of high school movies present friend groups as claques."
About Claque
This word came from the French word “claquer,” meaning “to clap.” The practice of paying audience members for their praise originated at the Paris opera.
Did you Know?
The use of claques in public performances goes back to ancient times. It only became an organized, permanent system — and controlled by claquers themselves — in 1800s Paris. Members of a claque are called claquers.
