plunger etymology

Etymology:

  • Latin: plungere "to plunge, dip, sink"
  • Proto-Indo-European: pleu-nǵʰ-/ "to splash, dip" (also the source of "flood," "flow," and "float")

Meaning:

  • A rubber or suction cup device used to clear clogged drains or toilets.
  • A device used to plunge or submerge something.
  • A sudden fall or dive.

Origin:

The word "plunger" can be traced back to the Latin verb plungere, which means "to plunge, dip, or sink." This verb is derived from the Proto-Indo-European root pleu-nǵʰ-/, which has a similar meaning.

The first recorded use of "plunger" in the English language dates back to the 16th century. It initially referred to a device used to plunge or dip something into a liquid. By the 18th century, the term had come to refer specifically to the type of device used to clear clogged drains and toilets.

Other meanings:

In addition to its primary meaning, the word "plunger" can also be used in the following ways:

  • In the context of basketball, a "plunger" is a shot that is slam dunked with force.
  • In the context of skiing, a "plunger" is a steep drop or slope.
  • In the context of diving, a "plunger" is a person who makes a high dive into the water.

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