A standing ovation, an effusive review, even a quick congratulatory text or a social media “like” — all of these are versions of plaudits. The noun “plaudit” means an expression of praise or approval, but the word is almost always used in the plural (“plaudits”). It came into use around the early 17th century, shortened from the Latin word “plaudite,” the imperative plural of “plaudere.” Roman actors would quite literally shout “Plaudite!” to the audience, demanding them to applaud.