acclamation

The first thing we are going to do to be able to fully understand the meaning of the term at hand is to determine its etymological origin. Specifically, it comes from Latin, from the word “acclamatio” which can be translated as “the action and effect of applauding as approval” and which is the result of the sum of several components:
-The prefix “ad”, which can be translated as “towards”.
-The verb “clamare”, which is synonymous with “call” or “ask”.
-The suffix “-cion”, which is used to indicate “the action and the effect”.

The concept refers to act and consequence of acclaiming. This verb, for its part, can refer to clap, cheer or cheer something or someone; to attract attention by means of some expression; or to choose unanimously.

Acclamation can be a collective demonstration reflecting people's approval of an action or recognition of an person. In ancient times, it was common for people to congregate to receive emperors, monarchs or generals after a military victory. The cheers were also frequent before certain announcements or speeches of the authorities.

Today these cheers still exist, although there are different ways of expressing approval or recognition. Suppose a team of football he becomes champion of an international tournament and, upon returning to his country of origin, his players climb onto a stage set up in a park to display the trophy and celebrate. Attendees, seeing the athletes, will celebrate with cheers. In addition, other people can virtually join the acclaim through social media, with messages and greetings.

It can be said, on the other hand, that elections where a candidate is unanimously elected are resolved by acclamation: "The delegate of the assembly was elected by acclamation".

In the same way, we cannot ignore the existence of the expression “by popular acclamation”. This is used with different meanings. However, among the most significant is the one that uses it to refer to the fact that any decision has been taken because the people or a part of it has wanted it that way.

Examples of this are, for example, currently the surveys that are carried out through web pages or social networks on the most beautiful cities of a country. Thus, their results determine that “Córdoba has been chosen by popular acclaim as the most beautiful in Spain”.

Curiosities around this type of gesture is that Hildebrando was elected Pope on April 22, 1073 by popular acclamation. An election that was considered an absolute transgression of the law, since it was established that only a council of priests could undertake that decision.