Deafenitions is it?
Call me an anorak but I enjoy all this accedemic speculation for an instrument designed (ineffectually) to annoy the banjo player!
FWIW I had a beater made specially in walnut just so I could sucker people who were listening intently to my enthusiasm for this walnut tipper and tell them.... (wait for it)
"I only bring it for the crack".....
I'll get my coat......