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happy-clappy
" In nicey-nicey land, you must be happy-clappy and positive all the time - bad news is taboo."
Michael Leunig

Meaning of "happy-clappy" in the English dictionary

DICTIONARY

PRONUNCIATION OF HAPPY-CLAPPY

ˈhæpɪˈklæpɪ


GRAMMATICAL CATEGORY OF HAPPY-CLAPPY

noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation
Happy-Clappy can act as a noun and an adjective.
A noun is a type of word the meaning of which determines reality. Nouns provide the names for all things: people, objects, sensations, feelings, etc.

The adjective is the word that accompanies the noun to determine or qualify it.

WHAT DOES HAPPY-CLAPPY MEAN IN ENGLISH?

Happy-clappy

Happy-clappy, or Happy clappers, is a derogatory term originating in the United Kingdom, referring to a style of Christian worship particularly evident in Evangelical and Pentecostal churches. The term came into household knowledge in that country in the late 1990s after a reported remark by the former Archbishop of Canterbury Robert Runcie, criticising what he perceived as the shallowness of such worship. This style of worship involves joyful congregational worship songs, often accompanied by acoustic guitars and drums in which the congregation clap along to the rhythm of the song, or raise one or both hands in the air, and occasionally dance. Christian critics of this style of worship, of which Runcie was one, object to what they perceive as simply the rousing of emotion rather than properly focusing on God. Supporters counter that this style is more relevant and therefore accessible to ordinary people. Unlike many derogatory terms, it has not been adopted by groups that practice it, who prefer to call it "charismatic" or "spirit-led" worship.

Definition of happy-clappy in the English dictionary

The definition of happy-clappy in the dictionary is of or denoting a form of evangelical Christianity in which members of the congregation sing and clap enthusiastically during acts of worship. Other definition of happy-clappy is Also called: happy clapper. an enthusiastic evangelical Christian.

WORDS THAT RHYME WITH HAPPY-CLAPPY

chappie · chappy · crappie · crappy · flappy · gappy · happy · lappie · nappy · Naskapi · pappy · sappy · scrappy · snappy · strappy · trappy · unhappy · yappie · yappy · zappy

WORDS THAT BEGIN LIKE HAPPY-CLAPPY

happoshu · happy · happy as a sandboy · happy as Larry · happy camper · happy clapper · happy couple · happy event · happy families · happy family · happy family bird · happy hour · happy hunting ground · Happy Jack · happy little vegemite · happy medium · happy release · happy slapping · happy-clappies · happy-go-lucky

WORDS THAT END LIKE HAPPY-CLAPPY

boob happy · choppy · demob-happy · floppy · gippy · guppy · hippy · hoppy · make it snappy · overhappy · peppy · poppy · preppy · puppy · slap-happy · sloppy · trigger-happy · trippy · yuppy · zippy

Synonyms and antonyms of happy-clappy in the English dictionary of synonyms

SYNONYMS

Translation of «happy-clappy» into 25 languages

TRANSLATOR

TRANSLATION OF HAPPY-CLAPPY

Find out the translation of happy-clappy to 25 languages with our English multilingual translator.

The translations of happy-clappy from English to other languages presented in this section have been obtained through automatic statistical translation; where the essential translation unit is the word «happy-clappy» in English.
zh

Translator English - Chinese

幸福,拍拍女
1,325 millions of speakers
es

Translator English - Spanish

feliz - clappy
570 millions of speakers
en

English

happy-clappy
510 millions of speakers
hi

Translator English - Hindi

खुश clappy
380 millions of speakers
ar

Translator English - Arabic

سعيد - clappy
280 millions of speakers
ru

Translator English - Russian

счастливы - clappy
278 millions of speakers
pt

Translator English - Portuguese

happy- clappy
270 millions of speakers
bn

Translator English - Bengali

সুখী-clappy
260 millions of speakers
fr

Translator English - French

happy- clappy
220 millions of speakers
ms

Translator English - Malay

Gembira-gembira
190 millions of speakers
de

Translator English - German

happy- clappy
180 millions of speakers
ja

Translator English - Japanese

ハッピー淋病にかかった
130 millions of speakers
ko

Translator English - Korean

행복 - clappy
85 millions of speakers
jv

Translator English - Javanese

Seneng-clappy
85 millions of speakers
vi

Translator English - Vietnamese

hạnh phúc - clappy
80 millions of speakers
ta

Translator English - Tamil

சந்தோஷமாக-clappy
75 millions of speakers
mr

Translator English - Marathi

आनंदी-कपटी
75 millions of speakers
tr

Translator English - Turkish

mutlu-clappy
70 millions of speakers
it

Translator English - Italian

felice - clappy
65 millions of speakers
pl

Translator English - Polish

happy- clappy
50 millions of speakers
uk

Translator English - Ukrainian

щасливі - clappy
40 millions of speakers
ro

Translator English - Romanian

happy - clappy
30 millions of speakers
el

Translator English - Greek

happy- clappy
15 millions of speakers
af

Translator English - Afrikaans

happy- clappy
14 millions of speakers
sv

Translator English - Swedish

happy- clappy
10 millions of speakers
no

Translator English - Norwegian

happy- clappy
5 millions of speakers

Trends of use of happy-clappy

TRENDS

TENDENCIES OF USE OF THE TERM «HAPPY-CLAPPY»

Principal search tendencies and common uses of happy-clappy
List of principal searches undertaken by users to access our English online dictionary and most widely used expressions with the word «happy-clappy».

Examples of use in the English literature, quotes and news about happy-clappy

EXAMPLES

QUOTES WITH «HAPPY-CLAPPY»

Famous quotes and sentences with the word happy-clappy.
1
Michael Leunig
In nicey-nicey land, you must be happy-clappy and positive all the time - bad news is taboo.

10 ENGLISH BOOKS RELATING TO «HAPPY-CLAPPY»

Discover the use of happy-clappy in the following bibliographical selection. Books relating to happy-clappy and brief extracts from same to provide context of its use in English literature.
1
Feathers in the Snow
They'll be no sneers or gossip and all prizes will be first We're the happy-clappy, girly, chappy, flippy,flappy, snippy,snappy, clappy happy band. Yeah! The Happy Clappy Band. Everyone will share their water. Everyone will share their food.
Philip Ridley, 2013
2
Handbook for Anglican Parish Councillors in Tasmania
People's tastes differ considerably. A small number might enjoy 'happy clappy' ' songs', while the majority prefer to worship in a more contemplative, sedate and reverential manner, focussing on the words and meaning rather than the personal ...
Gwyneth Daniel, 2010
3
Adrenaline Junkies and Template Zombies: Understanding ...
That's a tough one, but don't think people won't try. Thus the sour humor of the saying, “The beatings will continue until morale improves.” 4B- i 1.. Fr Chris Linn, Corporate Entertainer (www.chrislinn.com) A Happy Clappy Meetings.
Tom DeMarco, Peter Hruschka, Tim Lister, 2013
4
Wake Up! - Dynamite For The Daytime
Except that is, the much maligned and looked down the nose at 'happy clappy' type of Christians, you know, the ones that live in never-never land and not the real world like you and me! Ha! Who do those silly, happy clappy, strange and ...
Victor Robert Farrell
5
A Meander in Menorca
It's all designed to get us in a happy, clappy sort of mood, like Christians. The tricks these reps resort to! I'm most definitely not a happy clappy sort of person, especially in the morning, (though by ten I am generally beginning to come to) and ...
David M. Addison, 2006
6
Ball Baby
“It's a great idea,” I agreed, hoping I didn't sound too happy-clappy about it. After the first football game I heard Blaze describe the cheerleaders as a battalion of happy-clappy girls, and it surely made me laugh. “Aunt Beatrice saved us the daily ...
June Marie Saxton, 2013
7
Oxford English Dictionary Additions Series
5/3 He's one of the happy-clappy lot. They're always speaking in tongues, casting out demons and frightening the old ladies. 1993 Times 7 Oct. 37/7 Is the man at the helm of the church an intelligent astute leader or a happy-clappy simpleton ...
J. A. Simpson, Michael Proffitt, E. S. C. Weiner, 1997
8
Not Telling
Maybe you've forgiven her, I mean, “Brian laughs, “You are surrounded by these happy-clappy types all day long, six days a week.” “Brian,” I frown, “Uncalled for comment. They are not happy-clappy types at all. Okay, some of them are, but ...
Cindy Vine, 2010
9
Travels with a Monkey Mind
Staying as I am in the YMCA Tourist Hotel, and being Sunday, there are happy clappy Christian services in the compound throughout the day. There is something sentimental and depressing about all this jollity, yet sincerity also. During the ...
Graham Shepherd, 2011
10
The Prison Sermons
In many pulpits across this country, a name-it-and- claim-it, happy-clappy, prosperity gospel is preached. These preachers promise success and an easy life. They falsely teach people that if you are suffering, you must not be right with God.
Rick Davis, 2007

10 NEWS ITEMS WHICH INCLUDE THE TERM «HAPPY-CLAPPY»

Find out what the national and international press are talking about and how the term happy-clappy is used in the context of the following news items.
1
Libraries are being ruined by technology | Conservative Home
In this respect, libraries are like churches: if you want to go happy-clappy, then either do it properly with all the bells and whistles – or keep ... «Conservative Home, Jul 15»
2
Liberals ignoring the financial alarm bells
Compare that to the happy-clappy news release put out by Finance Minister Charles Sousa. He had this to say: “S&P announced today its new ... «Toronto Sun, Jul 15»
3
Breathing space... Spending wisely
I realise it makes me look like a happy-clappy have-a-nice-day fanatic, but the benefits far outweigh the risks... and it's always good to convey ... «Irish Independent, Jul 15»
4
Bruno's is fast, fresh and utterly delicious
Is it when happy-clappy words like 'organic' or 'homemade' are embossed on a menu, or is it when you pay ridiculous amounts of dosh? «Sunday World, Jul 15»
5
Game of Thrones season five finale recap – Mother's Mercy
... some level of meaningful catharsis and pay-off, relentless depression can be just as bad as happy-clappy disney happy-ever-after endings. «The Guardian, Jun 15»
6
Dick Costolo's chirpy resignation doesn't hide Twitter's problems
Of course, this is Silicon Valley smokescreen at its finest. It may be dressed up as entrepreneurial, happy-clappy straight talking, but tech giants' ... «Management Today, Jun 15»
7
Blur – Ong Ong video: watch the colourful video-game themed clip
Paired with the happy-clappy tune, it's a pleasant, playful video with more than a whiff of summer about it. The clip also sees the band dress up ... «Evening Standard, Jun 15»
8
All times stated are UK
It'll be interesting what happens when snarling Australia turn up in a month - I'd expect they'll snarl back, rather than being the happy-clappy bunch they are at ... «BBC Sport, Jun 15»
9
An Irishwoman's Diary on teaching the world to sing – from Shannon …
Hot coffee, whiskey and cream sounds right for a chilly day in the arrivals lounge, but a happy-clappy ad for the ultimate American brand seems ... «Irish Times, May 15»
10
S Club 7, O2, review: 'only slightly reminiscent of a peppy workout …
... and only served to highlight the happy-clappy weakness of S Club 7's own songs. For the most part, though, the show delivered the sparkly, ... «Telegraph.co.uk, May 15»
REFERENCE
« EDUCALINGO. Happy-Clappy [online]. Available <https://educalingo.com/en/dic-en/happy-clappy>. May 2024 ».
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