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waltappel

where did the word "frap" come from?

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After a day at the DZ I went to a store to get some energy drinks for the drive home and saw an energy drink called "Frappio". I laughed and thought they probably don't sell much of that to jumpers!

Anyway, it got me wondering--anyone have any good explanations for where the word "frap" came from?

Walt
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Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary

frap
One entry found for frap.

Main Entry: frap
Pronunciation: 'frap
Function: transitive verb
Inflected Form(s): frapped; frap·ping
Etymology: Middle English, to strike, beat, from Middle French fraper
: to draw tight (as with ropes or cables)



It was around when I started.:P
My idea of a fair fight is clubbing baby seals

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I'm sure you've heard of a frap hat. The leather 'helmet' worn by many older jumpers that haven't switched over to a full face. Popular with tandem students, too.
I was told by an older jumper years ago that "Frap" was the noise made by the leather when snapped together. Drop a frap hat flat on concrete sometime and you've got the sound.
Another definition is a synonym for bounce.
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I'm back in the USA!!

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Indeed, the French verb "frapper" means to hit, beat, etc etc

And in most of New England, at least, a "frappe" is what is known elsewhere as a "milk shake," i.e. milk and syrup plus ice cream beaten into a thick, foamy drink.

I remember the late great USPA Treasurer Jack Bergman, opposing a USPA Board motion to amend BSRs to allow jumpers to wear frap hats:
"If you've got a 10-cent brain, put it in a 10-cent helmet."

HW

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I had a friend, Mike, in Atlanta with lots of birds. He taught one to say "Frap" whenever he would make a descending scream. Well...The other birds all caught on the the scream and the Frap! When you'd call Mike's house very often you'd hear about 4 or 5 birds scream and a bunch of frapp frap fraps from the others. It was a riot!

jon, just had to share

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"If you've got a 10-cent brain, put it in a 10-cent helmet."



In skydiving its "If you've got a 10 cent brain, put it a $300 dollar helmet".:P



Don't forget the $50 dollar helmet bag thats match's your jumpsuit and rig.;)

R.I.P.

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Have you SEEN what Tony F is GETTING for a Frat Hat these days!:o



A lot less then I paid for this Fu**ng helmet.:S



***

I like the color Sparky!

You should get EVERYTHING in that color!!!:P:ph34r:










~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~

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Have you SEEN what Tony F is GETTING for a Frat Hat these days!:o



A lot less then I paid for this Fu**ng helmet.:S



Hi sparky

Thats a very nice looking skid lid. No scratchs, etc. Got a pic of the helmet bag you used to protect the finish you can post for us, or was it a closet queen:P?

Don't worry folks I'm not staying long, I'll crawl back under my rock.

R.I.P.

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Have you SEEN what Tony F is GETTING for a Frat Hat these days!:o



A lot less then I paid for this Fu**ng helmet.:S



Hi sparky

Thats a very nice looking skid lid. No scratchs, etc. Got a pic of the helmet bag you used to protect the finish you can post for us, or was it a closet queen:P?

Don't worry folks I'm not staying long, I'll crawl back under my rock.

R.I.P.



I carry it in a military flight helmet bag I got a the surplus store for $14.00, plus I would wear my frap hat most of the time.:P

The same type of bag I carried this helmet in. (see attachment)
My idea of a fair fight is clubbing baby seals

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Have you SEEN what Tony F is GETTING for a Frat Hat these days!:o



A lot less then I paid for this Fu**ng helmet.:S



Hi sparky

Thats a very nice looking skid lid. No scratchs, etc. Got a pic of the helmet bag you used to protect the finish you can post for us, or was it a closet queen:P?

Don't worry folks I'm not staying long, I'll crawl back under my rock.

R.I.P.



I just happen to get a new camera as a gift today:)
My idea of a fair fight is clubbing baby seals

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Hi Sparky

Thanks for the pics. I'm sure you know I've just been yanking your chain about the $50 vollor coordinated helmet bag.

We've got the same bag as your black one, and another one OD. For the young ones who have never seen one they all have lots of neat pockets, inside and outside the bag for holding stuff like rubber bands spare ripcord, cutaway handle, pullup cords, goggles, log books etc.

The military stile helmet bags are very nice and the price is right, but... but I guess the color cordinated folks would have to go all black or OD to keep the "look".

R.I.P.

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Hi Sparky,

It is a federal offense to 'steal' from a US gov't agency; you meant to say that you 'liberated' it. Right??????

Jerry



No, I stole the damn thing. I worked a couple of programs for NASA, and I could have stole a truck load of them and they would not know they were missing. B|

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anyone have any good explanations for where the word "frap" came from?

Walt



Actually it refers to the sound the loose jump suits we wore back in the day make in the wind as a body gets closer to the ground. Sort of a ffffFFFFFRRRAAAPP! type sound.... You can do it with your lips....

:|
Green Light
"Harry, why did you land all the way out there? Nobody else landed out there."
"Your statement answered your question."

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