flip English · revision 6748

+ {{infobox|confidence=uncertain|formation=onomatopoeia|attested=c. 1567}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /flɪp/^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is probably imitative,^(MWU 2024)^(Etymonline) and is probably a contraction of [[fillip]], also imitative;^(Hoad 1986)^(SOED 2002)^(Barnhart 1988) Etymonline also suggests a thinned form of [[flap]].^(Etymonline) It appears earlier as part of “flip-flop” (1529).^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ To toss or flick with the thumb: about 1567 in MWU, 1594, in Lyly's plays, in Barnhart, the 1590s in Etymonline.^(MWU 2024)^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The noun, a quick blow or flick, is from 1692.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989) A somersault is probably short for flip-flap (1670s), a move in dancing.^(Etymonline) A short flight in an aircraft is from 1914.^(OED 1989) To toss a coin to decide something is by 1879.^(Etymonline) To get excited or go wild is American, from 1950, with ''flip one's lid'' from 1949.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) The adjective, glib, flippant, is mid-19th-century, originally dialect and American.^(SOED 2002)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1529 – flip-flop.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * c. 1567 – to flick.^(MWU 2024)

+ * 1692 – a flick.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1879 – to flip a coin.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1914 – a short flight.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1950 – to get excited.^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Verb===

+ # To toss with a quick movement, especially so that it turns over: ''flip a coin''.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # To turn over quickly.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # To turn the pages of something quickly.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # ''(informal)'' To lose one's self-control; to go crazy.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # To strike lightly.^(AHD)

+

+ ===Noun===

+ # A quick toss or [[flick]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A [[somersault]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ===Adjective===

+ # ''(informal)'' Glib; [[flippant]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[flippy]]

+ * [[flip-top]]

+ * [[flip-up]]

+ * [[backflip]]

+ * [[flipper]]

+ * [[flip chart]]

+ * [[flip side]]

+ * [[flip off]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[flipping]]

+ * [[fillip]]

+ * [[flap]]

+ * [[flippant]]

+ * [[flip-flop]]

+ * [[flick]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ A separate ''flip'', a hot drink of beer and spirits sweetened and heated with an iron, is from 1695, perhaps from the verb as whipped up into froth.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Hoad 1986)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}