You know that phrase "has a bad rap?" Well is saying "rap" incorrect? Because someone else pointed out "has a bad rep" which makes more since and, stragely, I didn't realize the distinction. Is saying "bad rap" just a word usage misunderstanding? Thanks guys.

Someone can, of course, "have a bad rep"(utation), but I haven't heard precisely that phrase with "rap."



"Given a bad rap" or more often "got a bum rap" is how I've heard it.

This meaning of rap is related to its meaning as a "sharp blow" (think "rapping on the door") and means a verbal blow, or a "bum rap" would be such a verbal blow or criticism that wasn't deserved.

Similarly, think of "taking the rap" for a crime, or a "rap sheet."

(see M-W's definition of "rap")

Aaah! I see. Rep should've been the one I used. Not sure why I confused the two. Thanks, Methos.

Jusork, I think a lot of people might confuse the two.

I've heard words being misused that could almost mean the same, but I know what they mean. For example, I've heard so many people call a 'blood clot' a 'blood clog'. After all, the clot does clog the vein, so I think nothing of it.

Parting shot for Parthian shot is another example; the latter is (I think) the correct version, but the former makes sense, too.

One I hear quite often is "for all intensive purposes" instead of "for all intents and purposes."

I think if Maiku had been here He might have called them "Accurate Spoonerisms?"

This just in: Scientific American (sciam.com) ("Bad Rap for Nitrate?") apparently commits the mistake alluded to in jusork's original question. This raises a few questions of my own:

(1) Is this a blow to the mother tongue?
(2) Are magazine websites less well edited than their parent print editions?
(3) Is Scientific American slipping?
(4) Will this headline now help establish current acceptable usage, based on the reputation and influence of such a mainstream publication?
(5) Was the usage in fact correct?

The answer is 5, making the other questions moot.

As I pointed out, "bad rap" is perfectly acceptable (see Merriam-Webster ¹rap 2b).

Indeed, M-W rap 2b: "a negative and often undeserved reputation or charge -- usually used with bum or bad"

So a rap can be a rep. Who knew?