afterclaps

Dictionary of American Words And Phrases by John Russell Bartlett.

Unexpected events happening after an affair is supposed to be at an end.--Todd's Johnson.


Although this is a genuine old English word, it is now seldom heard except in familiar conversation.

For the next morrow's meed they closely went,

For fear of afterclaps to prevent.

-- Spenser, Hub. Tale.

Let that man, who can be so far taken and transported with the present pleasing offers of a temptation, as to overlook those dreadful afterclaps which usually bring up the rear of it.

-- South, Sermons, VI.

She wyll thee graunt it liberally perhappes;

But for all that, beware of afterclaps.

-- Sir Thomas More.