trapes

Obscure, as is common among colloquialisms. OED mentions possible association with Dutch trappen, to tread or stamp the foot, but objects that the connection is unconvincing. (This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium.)

trapes (third-person singular simple present trapeses, present participle trapesing, simple past and past participle trapesed)

1. Alternative spelling of traipse in reduced usage since about WWI

trapes (plural trapeses)

1. Alternative spelling of traipse in reduced usage since about WWI

See trape.

trapes

1. (seldom in use since about WWII, colloquial) A slattern; an idle, sluttish, or untidy woman.
   • 1662, [Samuel Butler], “[The First Part of Hudibras]”, in Hudibras. The First and Second Parts. […], London: […] John Martyn and Henry Herringman, […], published 1678; republished in A[lfred] R[ayney] Waller, editor, Hudibras: Written in the Time of the Late Wars, Cambridge: University Press, 1905, →OCLC:

     He found the sullen trapes / Possest with th' devil, worms, and claps.

   • 1715, John Gay, The What D'ye Call It:

     From door to door I'd sooner whine and beg, / Than marry such a trapes.

   • 1725–1728, [Edward Young], “(please specify the page)”, in Love of Fame, the Universal Passion. In Seven Characteristical Satires, 4th edition, London: […] J[acob] and R[ichard] Tonson […], published 1741, →OCLC:

     Since full each other station of renown, / Who would not be the greatest trapes in town?

• Paster, Pearts, paster, paters, petars, prates, pretas, repast, repats, retaps, tapers, treaps

trapes

1. plural of trapa

trapes

1. plural of trapa

trapes m pl

1. plural of trape