"Thumping the tub for" is a phrase that means making a loud noise or creating a great deal of excitement to draw attention to a particular cause or issue. The word "thumping" is typically pronounced with a voiced dental fricative /ð/ and a velar plosive /k/ at the end. The word "tub" is pronounced with a voiced alveolar stop /t/ followed by the short /ʌ/ vowel sound and a voiced bilabial stop /b/. The word "for" is pronounced with an open-mid back unrounded vowel /ɔ/ and a voiced alveolar approximant /r/ at the end.
"Thumping the tub for" is an idiomatic expression that stems from the figurative meaning of the word "tub." In this phrase, "thumping" means to vigorously and loudly beat or hit, while "tub" refers to a hollow container. When used together, this phrase signifies the act of energetically advocating or promoting a cause with great fervor and enthusiasm.
The expression likely has its origin in the early 20th century, when people would use a bathtub or similar hollow object to create a loud noise while marching in parades or demonstrations. By thumping on the tub, the participants aimed to catch people's attention and draw them towards their cause. Thus, "thumping the tub" became synonymous with advocating passionately and making noise to bring attention to a cause or issue.
Furthermore, the addition of "for" in the phrase emphasizes the cause or idea being supported. When someone is thumping the tub for something, they are actively working to gain support, raise awareness, or garner public opinion on that particular matter. It implies that the person is actively engaged in spreading the message, whether through public speaking, rallying others, or using various communication channels to generate interest and support.
Overall, "thumping the tub for" serves as an expression used to describe the passionate and persuasive efforts undertaken by individuals or groups to advocate for a cause, often involving making noise or actively seeking attention in order to garner support and further their mission.