CultureJuly 14, 2026
clapperboard
/ˈklæp.ər.bɔːrd/
Definition
A board with a hinged flap that is snapped shut at the start of a film take to synchronize sound and image.
Etymology
The word is a compound of 'clapper' (referring to the noise made by the hinged stick) and 'board.' It emerged in the early 20th century as the film industry professionalized, specifically to address the need for audio-visual synchronization.
In the news
The article uses the word to illustrate that Shenzhen once lacked even basic filmmaking equipment, highlighting how underdeveloped its film production infrastructure was as recently as 2013.
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