meaning of 'clout'.

I agree with you. In the West of Scotland a clout is a buffet on the side of your head or somewhere else. You can clout fencing posts too, if you are hammering them.

A clout or more often cloot is either a garment or a wash cloth,

I thought clout in the political sense was pronounced cloo (supposedly French)

I'm in the south east and clout means to hit someone here, too.

I have always understood the neer cast a clout to mean a layer of clothing.

Here in the North West also means to hit someone.

Yes, just remembered, to say that someone has a lot of clout, does mean a lot of influence,not necessarily just in politics, but could mean in a work or social setting.

Several meanings to me, eg clout round the head, having sufficient clout (influence) to get things done, a clout is a stubby sort of tack for plasterboard.

'Ne'er cast a clout till May is out' meant don't stop wearing a vest until it is far enough into summer. I never knew whether the 'May' referred to the month or the plant!

Probably better not to research how it is used on social media!

Agree with all in OP. Never heard of it meaning vagina though!

Grandtante, “clout” meaning influence is definitely pronounced “clowt” (in the same way that “nous” is pronounced “nowce”) but the other meanings of clout/cloot as a cloth or smack - often round the head - are particularly well known in the north of England and Scotland.
A “Clootie Dumpling” is boiled in a cloth (cloot/clout) for instance.

I’m in the sort of mood when I’d love to give someone a clout!

I know, and have probably used, all 3 meanings, never heard of the 4th

I made a clootie dumpling once. It was a bit soggy, but delicious.

Another one here who has used all three but never for a vagina!

or a teatowel in which to boil a "clootie dumpling"

My mum came from rural Essex, and to her a clout was the rag she wore when she menstruated.

Oh. Well that could almost explain the vagina thing. Perhaps.

I’m a Geordie and always understood the word “clout” to mean being hit/smacked as in “do that again and you’ll get a clout” .

I have also heard it used as “having more influence” or “more say” as in “his word carries more clout”’

I remember them wearing rags for that purpose. Horrible!

I understand the 3 meanings menationed in the OP and I live in the Midlands - so not just a northern thing.

Me too, LadyGracie, luckily he is upstairs reading at the moment so the mood could abate.

I would use clout (pronounced clowt) mostly as a "clip round the ear".

Clout (said as (clowt) as a word for influence is like saying that the person with clout can metaphorically clout people round the ear to get their way.

Clout (pronounced cloot) is a cloth. A clootie dumpling is a pudding boiled in a cloot.

"Ne'er cast a clout till May be oot." = don't take off a layer until May (either the month or the blossom) is out.

My Fife mother-in-law would say "A bonny face suits the dishclout." = a pretty woman looks good in any old rag.

Here in Brum we say 'you'll get a clout round the ear 'ole'.

Gonegirl - I believe it was common practice for women to wear clouts - ripped up rags that were washed and reused - this was before the coming of sanitary pads, mum was doing this in the late 50's early 60's. Horrible but necessary.

It was also used for a baby's nappy. In Scotland anyway, not sure about south of the border.

Ne er cast a clout till the May be out

A clout is a clip round the ear or a lump of mud.