plug English · revision 7377

+ {{infobox|confidence=uncertain|formation=borrowing|attested=1606|origins=dum plugge}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /plʌɡ/^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is probably [[bor|nl|plug]], from [[m|dum|plugge|t=bung, stopper]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024) originally a seamen's term,^(Etymonline) cognate with Middle Low German pluck and German [[m|de|Pflock|t=peg]], all of uncertain or unknown origin.^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986)^(NODE 1998) The Irish and Gaelic words are said to come from English.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ A piece of wood or other material used to stop a hole: 1627, in Captain John Smith's ''Seaman's Grammar'';^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989) MWU dates it to 1606.^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ A hydrant or branch pipe for attaching a hose is by 1727, and a wad of tobacco from 1728.^(Etymonline) A stopper for a sink waste pipe is from 1860.^(OED 1989) The electrical plug is from 1883, and a sparking plug in an engine from 1886.^(Etymonline) An advertisement, a piece of publicity, is American, first recorded in George Ade (1902).^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) The verb, to stop with a plug, is from the 1620s,^(Etymonline) to work energetically at from about 1865, and to shoot someone, slang, from 1870.^(Etymonline) To promote by repetition is from 1906.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1606 – first use (MWU).^(MWU 2024)

+ * 1627 – a stopper.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1728 – a plug of tobacco.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1883 – an electrical plug.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1902 – an advertisement.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)

+ * 1906 – to promote.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # An object used to block a hole, especially in a [[sink]] or bath.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A device with metal pins that fits into a socket to connect an appliance to the electricity supply.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

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

+ # ''(informal)'' A piece of publicity promoting a product or event.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A cake of pressed tobacco, or a piece cut from it for chewing.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ===Verb===

+ # To block or fill a hole.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # ''(informal)'' To promote by mentioning repeatedly.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # ''(plug in)'' To connect to an electricity supply.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # ''(plug away)'' To work steadily.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[plugger]]

+ * [[pluggable]]

+ * [[pluggingly]]

+ * [[plugless]]

+ * [[pluglike]]

+ * [[earplug]]

+ * [[fireplug]]

+ * [[plugboard]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[plughole]]

+ * [[spark plug]]

+ * [[unplug]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}