STRAP

:''For the band, see The Straps.''
A 'strap', sometimes also called 'strop', is an elongated flap or ribbon, usually of fabric or leather.

Contents

Word Origins

Strap

Binding straps

Disciplinary strapping

Razor strop

Other uses

Verbs

Acronym

Sources and References and External links

See also

Word Origins

"Strop" is the older form of strap, recorded since 1357 as loop or strap on a harness; strap appeared only since 1620 as a Scottish and/or nautical variant of 'strope.' The word "strop" probably derives from the Old French ''estrop'', itself from the Latin ''stroppus'' "strap, band," perhaps from Etruscan, ultimately from Greek ''strophos'' "twisted band," from ''strephein'' "to turn".

Strap

'Television industry' form of Motion graphics.
A narrow horizontal onscreen graphic device for holding text information over live action. Often just a name or caption but sometimes with scrolling information such as rolling credits or a News ticker. Usually in the lower part of the screen known as the lower third, straps can be animated, faded or just cut on and off. Commonly known in US as Lower thirds (where there is a more detailed description) and also in UK as 'astons' Aston Broadcast Systems.

Binding straps

Thin straps are used as part of clothing or baggage, or bedding such as a sleeping bag. See for example spaghetti strap, shoulder strap. A strap differs from a belt mainly in that a strap is usually integral to the item of clothing; either can be used in combination with buckles.
Straps are also used as fasteners to attach and bind items, to objects, animals (for example a saddle on a horse) and people, or even to tie down people and animals, as on an apparatus for corporal punishment. Occasionally a strap is specified after what it binds or holds, e.g. chin strap.

Disciplinary strapping

As an implement of severe physical punishment, which is then called ''strapping'' after it (alongside more general terms as lashing, and confusingly, even in some official language, words like belting -in principle a belt is lighter, without a handle-, whipping and even paddling, all strictly speaking reserved for other implements), it is a particularly, broad and heavy strip of leather whipping device often with a hard handle while the more flexible 'blade' whips the flesh of the victim. Probably because of the stiffness the word is sometimes used interchangeably with a leather paddle (spanking). Instead of having one specially made one can also, especially in a private sphere, use an object of the same stirrup leather, say in a stable; like the Scottish tawse (which is a forked version with two or more tails) both are likely to be suppllied by a saddlemaker.

★ The real thing, usually made for institutional use, is also known as ''prison strap'' because it was mainly used on adult convicts (for discipline within the prison system, or as an original judicial corporal punishment, often combined with prison time, imposed by court but carried out by prison staff), notably in the USA (mainly the South, e.g. Arkansas at least until 1967; sometimes a spanking inflicted on the trousers, sometimes bare bottom; also used on the back) and Canada (until 1972; a spanking on the bare buttocks or stark naked), but also on minors in reformatories (on the trousers seat or on the bare buttocks) and in schools (particularly in Canada, on the hand, still reported in 2000).

★ Because of the forceful impact it makes, which can easily knock the recipient out of balance and fall over (reported by strapped punishees who were ordered to take it while grabbing their ankles), the victim is usually supported in a bending or lying position, often tied down, e.g. over a table or punishment horse, or against a whipping post.

★ Like the holed paddle, there is a version with holes in it, which intentionally increases the risk and severity of blistering if administered on the bare skin.

Razor strop

In origin the word ''strop'' is simply an alternative form of ''strap'', but it is now mainly used in the sense of a flexible rectangular piece of leather or canvas used for sharpening a razor, also known as a ''razor strop''.
It may be in the form of a hanging belt or a hand-held paddle. In both cases, as the names suggest, it makes a dreaded implement for punitive use (e.g. spanking), especially if made of leather, like a tawse; antique razor strops are generally heavier.

Other uses

★ In nautical usage a strap is a short rope (or cable) with two loops at both ends, forming an eight without crossing itself because a seizing holds the two loops together. The rope is wound around a tackle whereas one of the loops is hung on a hook, in the other loop is the tackle.

★ a strap can also be a piece of textile resembling the shape of a strap, often having a length exceeding the width, as in jock strap

★ Strap is also a street slang term for a gun.

★ Taping is sometimes referred to as strapping. It is used in treating of overuse and sports injuries.

★ In electronics usage strap or strapping refers to connecting pins on a chip, device, or circuit in a specified way to select built-in functionality, assign addresses, or define roles (such as master master or slave). Strapping can be built-in to the layout of a circuit board, made available on a header, or connected to a switch. Most straps connect pins directly to each other, to ground, or to voltage, but connecting through resistors or other simple circuits is also common.

★ In professional wrestling, strap is a slang term sometimes used to refer to a title belt.
A strap is also widely used by musicians for the support of instruments such as guitars, basses, mandolins and banjos.

Verbs

★ The derived verb ''to strap'' means to use or apply a strap, such as to bind something (as with rope or string) or to inflict a disciplinary strapping

★ The derived verb ''to strop'' means to use or apply a (razor) strop

Acronym

★ STRAP: Strategic Action Plan

Sources and References and External links

★ article in three linking parts on Canadian prison strappings; various other material concerning strapping on this website on corporal punishment, use search etc.

★ Etymology on line

★ Straight razor care at premiumknives.com

★ Instrument (guitar or bass) strap example.

See also

★ Bootstrapping