flapping
noun
- phonetic change of -t- and -d- between vowels in some English dialects
Wiktionary
Pronunciation: /ˈflæpɪŋ/
adj
- that flaps or flap
“flapping sails”
noun
- An instance where one, or something, flaps.
“The farmyard was dark and he tiptoed across it so that the turkeys wouldn't set up their gobbling and flapping.”
- A phonological process found in many dialects of English, especially American English and Canadian English, by which intervocalic /t/ and /d/ surface as the alveolar flap [ɾ] before an unstressed syllable, so that words such as "metal" and "medal" are pronounced similarly or identically.
- The situation where a resource, a network destination, etc., is advertised as being available and then unavailable (or available by different routes) in rapid succession.
- The unlicensed racing of horses or greyhounds.
“Greyhound racing had its origins in whippet racing, which was derived in turn from hare coursing. By the early twentieth century, however, a form of dog racing held in 'flapping tracks' was a common pastime in the wastelands near working-class areas of industrial cities.”
“Flapping is racing which is not licensed by the Jockey Club. […] Anyone found participating in, or even attending, flapping races is liable to be warned off.”
verb
- present participle and gerund of flap