tab English · revision 10712

+ 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.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986)

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /tæb/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ {{homograph|1|flap}}

+

+ {{infobox|confidence=unknown|attested=1607}}

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is of uncertain or unknown origin,^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986)^(MWU 2024) possibly a dialect word,^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) and perhaps related to [[tag]].^(NODE 1998)^(Cresswell 2021) Etymonline compares Norwegian dialectal tave, piece of cloth, rag.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ A short broad strap or flat loop attached to an object: 1607, in Markham's Cavelarice.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ A shoe latchet is from 1674, and the metal end of a lace before 1825.^(OED 1989) The verb, to put a tab on, is from 1872.^(Barnhart 1988)^(MWU 2024) The pull tab of a drinks can is from 1963.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline) A tab on a file or, in computing, an extra page in a browser are modern extensions.^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1607 – a strap or loop.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1674 – a shoe latchet.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1872 – to tab (verb).^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1963 – a pull tab.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A small flap or strip attached to something, for pulling, hanging or identification.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # ''(computing)'' An extra page in a web browser that can be opened alongside others.^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ===Verb===

+ # To fit with a tab.^(AHD)

+

+ {{homograph|2|bill; clippings}}

+

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=clipping|attested=1888|origins=en tabulation|origins=en 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.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) As a pill it is short for tablet,^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) and as a typewriter key short for [[tabulator]].^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ An account or bill: 1888 in Etymonline, 1889 in Barnhart, in American English.^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Etymonline quotes an 1884 American newspaper on a reporter who “keeps tab” of the vote, the source of ''keep tabs on''.^(Etymonline) The tab key of a typewriter is recorded from 1916.^(Etymonline) A tablet or pill is by 1961, in the later 1960s especially one containing LSD.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1888 – a bill (US).^(Etymonline)

+ * 1916 – the tab key.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1961 – a tablet, pill.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # ''(chiefly US)'' A bill, especially in a bar or restaurant: ''to pick up the tab''.^(AHD)^(Etymonline)

+ # ''keep tabs on'': to watch closely.^(Etymonline)

+ # The tab key on a keyboard, or a tabulator.^(AHD)^(Etymonline)

+ # ''(slang)'' A tablet or pill.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[tag]]

+ * [[table]]

+ * [[tablet]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}