The "chapeau claque" is thus a hat that folds with a click, and unfolds likewise. He left behind no powerful political organization or claque of partisans. Members of a claque are called claqueurs. "<br>"You mean a claque, sir?"<br>"That's right. By 1830 the claque had become an institution. This inspired the 16th-century French poet Jean Daurat to develop the modern claque. A claque is an organized body of professional applauders in French theatres and opera houses.