tap English · revision 6816

+ English has two words spelled tap: the stopper or faucet, and the light blow.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Hoad 1986)^(Cresswell 2021)

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /tæp/^(Wiktionary)

+

+ {{homograph|1|faucet, stopper}}

+

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=inherited|attested=c. 1050|origins=gem-pro *tappô}}

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ The faucet is Middle English teppe, tappe, [[inh|ang|tæppa]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Hoad 1986)^(Etymonline) from [[gem-pro|*tappô]],^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986) cognate with [[dum|tappe]], [[goh|zapho]] and [[non|tappi]].^(Barnhart 1988)^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ A peg or stopper for closing the hole in a cask: about 1050 in the OED.^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Word Origins notes that since the stopper controlled the flow of liquid, the word passed to any device controlling a flow of water.^(Cresswell 2021) Etymonline compares [[spigot]].^(Etymonline) ''On tap'', ready to be drawn, is from the late 15th century.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) The verb, to draw liquor from a cask, is from about 1400,^(Etymonline) and to open up a resource in order to use it from the 1570s.^(Etymonline) Listening in secretly, first to telegraph wires, is from 1869, from the idea of piercing something to draw it off.^(Etymonline)^(Cresswell 2021) A tap is also a tool for cutting an internal screw thread (1677) and, colloquially, a taproom (1725).^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 1050 – a stopper for a cask.^(OED 1989)

+ * c. 1400 – to draw liquor.^(Etymonline)

+ * late 15th century – on tap.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1570s – to draw on a resource.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1677 – a screw-cutting tool.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1869 – to tap a telegraph wire.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A device for controlling the flow of liquid from a pipe or [[cask]]; a [[faucet]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A device for secretly listening to telephone conversations; a [[wiretap]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A tool for cutting an internal [[screw]] thread.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ===Verb===

+ # To draw liquid from a cask or other container.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # To draw on a resource or supply: ''tap new markets''.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # To connect a secret listening device to a telephone line.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[taproom]]

+ * [[taproot]]

+ * [[wiretap]]

+ * [[tapster]]

+

+ {{homograph|2|light blow}}

+

+ {{infobox|confidence=probable|formation=borrowing, onomatopoeia|attested=c. 1200}}

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ The light blow is Middle English tepen, tappen, probably [[bor|fro|taper|t=to tap, rap, strike]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986)^(SOED 2002) ultimately imitative of the sound;^(Etymonline)^(Cresswell 2021) Hoad allows an independent imitative formation in English.^(Hoad 1986) MWU traces it partly to the French word, of Germanic origin, and partly to a Scandinavian source.^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ To strike lightly but audibly: about 1200 in Etymonline,^(Etymonline) probably before 1200, in the ''Ancrene Riwle'', in Barnhart.^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The noun, a light blow, is from 1340, in the ''Ayenbite of Inwyt''.^(Barnhart 1988) Striking one's foot lightly in time to music is from the mid-15th century.^(Etymonline) Tap dancing, and the metal plates on the shoes, are also ''tap''.^(SOED 2002)^(AHD) The meaning to choose someone for a duty or membership, from a tap on the shoulder, is from 1952.^(Etymonline) Touching a screen to give a command is a recent sense.^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 1200 – to strike lightly.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)

+ * 1340 – a light blow.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * mid-15th century – to tap one's foot.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1952 – to choose for membership.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Verb===

+ # To strike gently, usually repeatedly.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # To produce, such as a rhythm, by light blows.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # To touch a [[touchscreen|alt=touch screen]] to give a command.^(Collins 2023)

+ # To choose someone for a role or for membership.^(AHD)

+

+ ===Noun===

+ # A light blow, or the sound of one.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # [[tap dance|alt=Tap dancing]], or a metal plate on the shoe used for it.^(AHD)^(SOED 2002)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[tapper]]

+ * [[tap dance]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[spigot]]

+ * [[tip]]

+ * [[rap]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}