Quote:
And so upon a time Sir Tristram agreed to wed Isoud la Blanche Mains. And at the last they were wedded, and solemnly held their marriage. And so when they were abed both Sir Tristram remembered him of his old lady La Beale Isoud. And then he took such a thought suddenly that he was all dismayed, and other cheer made he none but with clipping and kissing; as for other fleshly lusts Sir Tristram never thought nor had ado with her: such mention maketh the French book; also it maketh mention that the lady weened there had been no pleasure but kissing and clipping. (Malory)
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Ah, yes. I recall Bob Taylor saying much the same thing about his "relationship" with Ava Gardner -- unfortunately in rather less poetic language.

Turns out the word derives from OE clyppan (to hold or embrace). It survives today as a penalty term in American football. And I suppose the audio term derives from an oscilloscope image of a waveform being clipped or "held down."

You learn something every day. Tristan and Ava Gardner and the NFL and an oscilloscope all in the same posting. How often does that happen!