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Origin and history of toggle

toggle(n.)

1769, "pin passed through the eye of a rope, strap, or bolt to hold it in place," a nautical word of uncertain origin. Perhaps a frequentative form of tog "tug;" compare tuggle (v.), in Middle English also toggle, "pull about roughly; toss about, push and pull," from tug (v.); also compare tow (v.).

As a kind of wall fastener it is recorded from 1934. Toggle bolt, one with a bore through the head for a toggle, is attested from 1794; toggle switch, the up-and-down sort, is attested by 1938. The word is used in electronics by 1953, and in computing by 1979 in reference to a key which alternates the function between on and off when struck.

toggle(v.)

1836, "fix or fasten by or as if by a toggle, make secure with a toggle," from toggle (n.). The meaning "to alternate back and forth between opposite actions" is by 1982. Related: Toggled; toggling.

also from 1836

Entries linking to toggle

tow(v.)

"pull with a rope," Middle English touen, "haul or draw (something) by force," from Old English togian "to drag, pull," from Proto-Germanic *tugojanan (source also of Old English teon "to draw," Old Frisian togia "to pull about," Old Norse toga, Old High German zogon, German ziehen "to draw, pull, drag"), from PIE root *deuk- "to lead" (source also of Latin ducere "to lead").

Especially "draw through water by means of a rope or chain" (late 14c., implied in towing); the older general sense became obsolete; the maritime sense was transferred to automobiles. Related: Towed.

tug(v.)

c. 1200, tuggen, from weak grade of Old English teohan "to pull, handle roughly, drag," from Proto-Germanic *teuhan "to pull" (source also of Old High German zucchen "to pull, jerk," German zücken "to draw quickly), from PIE root *deuk- "to lead." Related to tow (v.). Related: Tugged; tugging.

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    fasten
    Old English fæstnian "make fast, make firm, fix, secure," also "ratify, betroth, confirm," from Proto-Germanic *fastinon "to make firm or fast" (source also of Old Frisian festnia "to make firm, bind fast," Old Saxon fastnon, Old High German fastnion, German festnen, Old Norse fa
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    provide
    early 15c., providen, "make provision for the future; arrange, plan; take care, relieve of needs, supply the needs of," from Latin providere "look ahead, prepare, supply, act with foresight," from pro "ahead" (from PIE root *per- (1) "forward") + videre "to see" (from PIE root *w
    relinquish
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    instruction
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    release
    c. 1300, relēsen, "to withdraw, revoke (a decree, etc.), cancel, lift; remit," from Old French relaissier, relesser "to relinquish, quit, let go, leave behind, abandon, acquit," variant of relacher "release, relax," from Latin relaxare "loosen, stretch out" (from re- "back" (see
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    1590s, "slender riding whip," probably from a variant of a Flemish or Low German word akin to Middle Dutch swijch "bough, twig," or from swutsche, variant of Low German zwukse "long thin stick, switch," from Germanic *swih- (source also of Old High German zwec "wooden peg," Germa

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