A dense, flat-bottomed block of unfinished hardwood used in tailoring to set seams. After a seam is steamed heavily with an iron, the tailor immediately presses and strikes the pounding block against the hot fabric. The wood absorbs the moisture and traps the heat, forcing bulky fabrics like wool or denim to cool completely flat.
Heard on the job
Hit that coat lapel with the iron and then hold the pounding block on it until the wool cools down.
Also heard as
- clapper
- tailor's clapper