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Origin and history of hair-trigger

hair-trigger(n.)

1795; Figurative use by 1841. Hair perhaps in reference to the slight pressure required to activate it.

The difference between a hair-trigger and a common trigger is this—the hair-trigger, when set, lets off the cock by the slightest touch, whereas the common trigger requires a considerable degree of force, and consequently is longer in its operation. [Charles James, "Military Dictionary," London, 1802]

also from 1795

Entries linking to hair-trigger

hair(n.)

Old English hær "hair, a hair," from Proto-Germanic *hēran (source also of Old Saxon, Old Norse, Old High German har, Old Frisian her, Dutch and German haar "hair"), perhaps from PIE *ghers- "to stand out, to bristle, rise to a point" (source also of Lithuanian šerys "bristle;" see horror).

Spelling influenced by Old Norse har and Old English haire "haircloth," from Old French haire, from Frankish *harja or some other Germanic source (see above). Hair-dye is from 1803. To let one's hair down "become familiar" is first recorded 1850. Homeopathic phrase hair of the dog (that bit you), remedy from the same thing that caused the malady, especially a drink on the morning after a debauch, 1540s in English, is in Pliny.

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    brainstorm
    evolved from the earlier sense: Modern radio broadcasting is replete with examples of the resourcefulness, daring and hair-trigger...
    spark
    The figurative meaning "stimulate, trigger" is attested by 1912....
    depilatory
    c. 1600, "having the property of removing hair from the skin," from French dépilatorie (adj.), from Latin depilatus "having...one's hair plucked," from de- "completely" (see de-) + pilatus, past participle of pilare "deprive of hair," from pilus..."hair" (see pile (n.3))....As a noun, "application used to remove hair without injuring the skin," from c. 1600, from French dépilatorie (n.)....
    disheveled
    also dishevelled, early 15c., "without dressed hair," parallel form of dishevel, dischevele (adj.)...from Old French deschevele "bare-headed, with shaven head," past-participle adjective from descheveler "to disarrange the hair...," from des- "apart" (see dis-) + chevel "hair," from Latin capillus "hair" (see capillary)....  Of the hair itself, "hanging loose and throw about in disorder, having a disordered or neglected appearance," from...
    incident
    Euphemistic meaning "event that might trigger a crisis or political unrest" first attested 1913....
    capillary
    1650s, "of or pertaining to the hair," from Latin capillaris "of hair," from capillus "hair" (of the head); perhaps related...side" and "far from compelling, since capillus is a diminutive, and would mean 'little head', which hardly amounts to 'hair...The Latin word was borrowed earlier in English as capillar "hair-like" (c. 1400, of veins, etc.)....
    clef
    "key; musical clef; trigger," from a figurative or transferred use of classical Latin clavis, which had only the literally...
    academy
    mid-15c., Achademie, "the classical Academy," properly the name of the public garden where Plato taught his school, from Old French (Modern French Académie) and directly from Latin Academia, from Greek Akadēmeia "The Academy; the grove of Akadēmos," a legendary Athenian of the Tr
    deserve
    mid-13c., "to merit, be worthy of for qualities or actions," from Old French deservir (Modern French desservir) "deserve, be worthy of, earn, merit" and directly from Latin deservire "serve well, serve zealously," from de- "completely" (see de-) + servire "to serve" (see serve (v
    hunky-dory
    1866, American English (popularized c. 1870 by a Christy Minstrel song), perhaps an elaboration of hunkey "all right, satisfactory" (1861), from hunk "in a safe position" (1847) New York City slang used in street games, from Dutch honk "post, station, home," in children's play, "

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