swap English · revision 15153

+ {{infobox|confidence=probable|formation=onomatopoeia|attested=probably before 1200}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: UK /swɒp/, US /swɑːp/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|enm|swappen|t=to strike, hit, hurl]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024) probably imitating the sound of a smart blow,^(Hoad 1986)^(MWU 2024)^(NODE 1998)^(Cresswell 2021) though Barnhart calls it of unknown origin.^(Barnhart 1988) The modern sense comes from striking hands as a sign of agreement in bargaining, as in to strike a bargain.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(Cresswell 2021)^(NODE 1998)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ To strike, or to strike the hands together: probably before 1200, in Layamon.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Striking hands on a bargain is from the late 14th century,^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986) and to exchange or barter from 1594 in Barnhart, the 1590s in Etymonline.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) The noun first meant a blow, as swop about 1250 and swappe about 1380 in Chaucer,^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) and an exchange from 1625.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989) In slang, to get the swap was to be dismissed (1890).^(OED 1989) In finance a swap is an exchange of currencies or debts (1963),^(OED 1989) and the American ''swap meet'' is from 1968.^(Etymonline) Swop is a variant spelling.^(OED 1989)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * probably before 1200 – to strike.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * c. 1250 – a blow (noun).^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * late 14th century – to strike a bargain.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1594 – to exchange.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1625 – an exchange (noun).^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1963 – a swap (finance).^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Verb===

+ # To exchange one thing for another; to [[trade]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ===Noun===

+ # An exchange of one thing for another.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Something exchanged.^(Collins 2023)

+ # ''(finance)'' A contract in which the parties exchange liabilities, such as fixed-rate for floating-rate debts.^(Collins 2023)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[swapper]]

+ * [[unswapped]]

+ * [[swap meet]]

+ * [[swap shop]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[barter]]

+ * [[swop]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ In Scotland and Northumberland a swap was also an immature, half-filled pod.^(Wright 1898)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}