I'd not noticed any slappin' going on in the Gamgee family. I always interpreted the Gaffer's attitude towards Sam to be rough affection. No, he's not a gentleman like Bilbo, he's a gardener and his rough tone matches his rough hands and (probably) rough life. Wasn't he mentioned as one of the less fortuneate hobbits that recieved very nice presents from Bilbo after the party?
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I'm your only friend.
I'm not your only friend,
But I'm a little glowing friend,
But really I'm not actually your friend,
But I am.
-They Might Be Giants
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