Etymologically
Log in

tab

Etymology and origin of the English word tab

History Permalink

Tab, a small flap, is of uncertain origin; tab, a bill, and tab, a pill or a tabulator key, are clippings of tabulation, tablet and tabulator.[1][2][3]

Pronunciation

tab1 flap

Confidence
Unknown
First attested
1607

Etymology

It is of uncertain or unknown origin,[1][2][3][5] possibly a dialect word,[1][2] and perhaps related to tag.[6][7] Etymonline compares Norwegian dialectal tave, piece of cloth, rag.[2]

Earliest recorded meaning

A short broad strap or flat loop attached to an object: 1607, in Markham's Cavelarice.[1][8][5]

Semantic evolution

A shoe latchet is from 1674, and the metal end of a lace before 1825.[8] The verb, to put a tab on, is from 1872.[1][5] The pull tab of a drinks can is from 1963.[8][2] A tab on a file or, in computing, an extra page in a browser are modern extensions.[9]

Timeline

  • 1607 – a strap or loop.[1][8]
  • 1674 – a shoe latchet.[8]
  • 1872 – to tab (verb).[1]
  • 1963 – a pull tab.[8][2]

Modern meaning

Noun

  1. A small flap or strip attached to something, for pulling, hanging or identification.
  2. (computing) An extra page in a web browser that can be opened alongside others.

Verb

  1. To fit with a tab.

tab2 bill; clippings

Confidence
Established
Formation
Clipping
First attested
1888
Ultimate origin
English (tablet)

Etymology

In the sense of a bill, it is probably short for tabulation or for tablet in the sense of a sheet for writing.[1][2] As a pill it is short for tablet,[1][2] and as a typewriter key short for tabulator.[2]

Earliest recorded meaning

An account or bill: 1888 in Etymonline, 1889 in Barnhart, in American English.[2][1]

Semantic evolution

Etymonline quotes an 1884 American newspaper on a reporter who “keeps tab” of the vote, the source of keep tabs on.[2] The tab key of a typewriter is recorded from 1916.[2] A tablet or pill is by 1961, in the later 1960s especially one containing LSD.[1][2]

Timeline

  • 1888 – a bill (US).[2]
  • 1916 – the tab key.[2]
  • 1961 – a tablet, pill.[1][2]

Modern meaning

Noun

  1. (chiefly US) A bill, especially in a bar or restaurant: to pick up the tab.
  2. keep tabs on: to watch closely.
  3. The tab key on a keyboard, or a tabulator.
  4. (slang) A tablet or pill.

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Barnhart, Robert K. (1988), The Barnhart Dictionary of Etymology
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
  3. ^ a b Hoad, T. F., ed. (1986), The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology, Oxford: Clarendon Press
  4. ^ Jones, Daniel (2011), Cambridge English Pronouncing Dictionary, 18th ed., ed. Peter Roach, Jane Setter and John Esling, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press
  5. ^ a b c Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary (2024), online ed., Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster
  6. ^ Pearsall, Judy, ed. (1998), The New Oxford Dictionary of English, Oxford: Clarendon Press
  7. ^ Cresswell, Julia (2021), Oxford Dictionary of Word Origins, 3rd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
  8. ^ a b c d e f Simpson, J. A.; Weiner, E. S. C., eds. (1989), The Oxford English Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Clarendon Press
  9. ^ Collins English Dictionary (2023), Glasgow: HarperCollins
Cite this entry

“Tab.” Etymologically, 17 Oct. 2026, etymologically.com/en/tab. Accessed 17 Oct. 2026.

Last edited on . ·