Great and powerful Russian language. How many words are in it to express not only the meaning of what was said, but also to decorate the speech, make it more vivid or convey the emotional assessment of the speaker. One of such expressive, emotional is the word "yap." About what it means, what is its origin, what are the features of use, let's understand.
Value
We will understand what the word we have chosen means. "Yap" is a multi-valued word. Its first meaning is now outdated in connection with the loss of the object itself, which it denotes, namely, devices for scuffing some fiber, such as flax or hemp. In this sense, the word, as we see, is historicism.
But he has another meaning. According to the modern explanatory dictionary of the Russian language edited by Efremova, yap is called a talkative, deceitful person. A word is used in this meaning with a bright negative connotation. In the dictionary entry next to this word there is even a note "swearing", which indicates its abusive character.
Synonyms
If you want to point out that your interlocutor speaks too much and is not the case, but you do not want to quarrel with him, then instead of such an expressive word you can always pick up an euphemism equivalent to him. Chatterbox, rubbish, Aquarius (words pour like water), idle talk, empty-handed, woes, demagogue (more literary) - all these words will mitigate your negative assessment. But hollow breeds, chimes, chalk and others are also words with a reduced style coloring, and their use is better to limit.
Etymology
As we found out, the word "yap" in the sense of "chatterbox" came from the verb "yap." The noun was formed by attaching to the root of the suffix -l-. Yap - one who speaks with his tongue. Hence the words “chatter”, which are close in meaning, are senseless gossip, and “chatter” is a dismissive about someone’s conversation.
In turn, the word "scuff" acquired a new meaning by means of a metaphorical transfer from the meaning "process fiber". The basis is a comparison of the speed and intensity of the work of the tool and the speed with which the gossip chatters.
Features of use
"Yap" is, without a doubt, an abusive word. Therefore, if you do not want to insult someone, it is better not to use it in your speech in relation to a person. In a particular environment, such words are acceptable. Also, in some companies of children and adolescents, you can hear how swear words are used without any reservations and constraints. However, if the style of your speech is official, journalistic, or if you are conducting a conversation in a secular society, forget obscene and even colloquial words that are not part of the Russian literary language.