Which is the accepted usage?
I've heard both. Someone I know says "bad rep" as in "bad reputation," but I'm not sure how the expression is really used. If it is "a bad rap," what does the word "rap" mean in this usage?
2007-03-17 16:39:15 · 5 answers · asked by Nicholas H 2 in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
No such thing as "bad rap," though you can "take the rap" as in to take punishment for something.
"Bad rep" is slang for "bad reputation."
2007-03-18 05:16:12 · answer #1 · answered by tigertrot1986 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Bad rap=found guilty of something the person did not do is getting a bad rap Bad rep.= Bad represenative. or Bad reputation.
2007-03-17 23:45:15 · answer #2 · answered by ruth4526 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is no bad "rap". That usage is incorrect. It has and will always be bad rep (as in reputation.)
2007-03-17 23:42:49 · answer #3 · answered by ImKindaHungry 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It depends on the use, but it's been said bad rap before for bad rapport bad rep is a shortened slang as well, but less seldom used. Depends on where you live!!
2007-03-18 01:26:10 · answer #4 · answered by Elle3 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
bad rap--bad rapport (bad relation to)
bad rep--bad reputation
2007-03-17 23:47:58 · answer #5 · answered by nursegrl 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋