pump English · revision 6819

+ English has two words spelled pump: the machine for moving liquids, and the light shoe.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Hoad 1986)^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /pʌmp/^(Wiktionary)

+

+ {{homograph|1|machine for moving fluids}}

+

+ {{infobox|confidence=probable|formation=borrowing|attested=1420}}

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ The machine is Middle English pomp, pumpe, probably [[bor|dum|pompe|t=water conduit, pipe]] or Middle Low German [[m|gml|pumpe|t=pump]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024) from a sailors' word of the North Sea, possibly imitative of the sound of the plunger.^(Etymonline)^(SOED 2002) Hoad finds the evidence too thin to say whether the word was first in English or Low German,^(Hoad 1986) and MWU traces the Dutch word probably to [[es|bomba]], of imitative origin.^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ A ship's pump: 1420 as pomp and 1427 as pumpe in Barnhart,^(Barnhart 1988) the early 15th century in Etymonline;^(Etymonline) the earliest uses refer to raising bilge water from ships.^(Etymonline)^(SOED 2002)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Etymonline finds it odd that the word appears so late, since pumps are ancient.^(Etymonline) The verb, to work a pump, is from 1508,^(Barnhart 1988)^(MWU 2024) and figuratively to question someone persistently, to extract information, from the 1630s.^(Etymonline) The heart was called a pump by 1796,^(OED 1989) and in physiology a molecular mechanism that moves ions across a cell membrane is a pump from 1947.^(OED 1989)^(AHD) ''Pumped up'' is by 1792, and ''to pump iron'', to lift weights, by 1972.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1420 – a ship's pump.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1508 – the verb.^(Barnhart 1988)^(MWU 2024)

+ * 1630s – to pump a person for information.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1796 – the heart as a pump.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1947 – a pump in a living cell.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1972 – pump iron.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A machine or device for raising, moving or [[compress|alt=compressing]] liquids or gases.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # ''(biology)'' A mechanism that moves [[ion|alt=ions]] or molecules across a [[cell membrane]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # An act of pumping.^(AHD)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ===Verb===

+ # To raise or move a liquid or gas with a pump.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # To move up and down like a pump handle.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # To question someone persistently to get information.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # To pour or inject in large amounts: ''pump money into a scheme''.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[pumper]]

+ * [[pump room]]

+ * [[pumped]]

+

+ {{homograph|2|light shoe}}

+

+ {{infobox|confidence=unknown|attested=1555}}

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ The shoe is of unknown origin.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Hoad 1986)^(MWU 2024)^(Etymonline) Etymonline mentions guesses that it imitates the sound of walking in such shoes or comes from Dutch pampoesje, from Javanese, and Klein's sources propose a link with [[pomp]];^(Etymonline) Barnhart finds early suggestions of a link with pomp, ornament, too obscure to support.^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ A light close-fitting slipper-like shoe: 1555.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The name passed to a shoe of the same kind with a very low heel, favoured, the OED says, by dancers, couriers, acrobats and duellists.^(Etymonline) In Britain it is a plimsoll or a light shoe for dancing or gymnastics; in North America it is a woman's low-cut shoe without fastenings, a court shoe.^(SOED 2002)^(Collins 2023) The Irish phrase ''keep your toe in your pump'' meant keep quiet.^(Wright 1898)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1555 – a light, close-fitting shoe.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A woman's low-cut shoe with no fastenings, usually with a [[heel]]; a [[court shoe]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # ''(British)'' A light shoe for dancing or gymnastics; a [[plimsoll]].^(Collins 2023)^(SOED 2002)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[pomp]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}