swipe etymology

Etymology

The word "swipe" has two distinct etymologies, depending on its usage:

1. To take or steal something quickly (verb)

• Origin: Middle English "swipen," meaning "to sweep" or "to strike."
• The term may have originated from the sweeping motion of a hand when stealing or snatching something.

2. To use a magnetic card or similar device to access something (noun or verb)

• Origin: Early 20th century, from "swipe," meaning "to hit or rub."
• The term refers to the motion of swiping the card through a magnetic reader.

Meaning and Origin

1. To take or steal something quickly (verb)

• Meaning: To seize or take something unlawfully or without permission.
• Origin: The word's origin in this sense is related to the rapid, sweeping motion of stealing something.

2. To use a magnetic card or similar device to access something (noun or verb)

• Meaning: A device used to grant access to a system or area through the use of a stored magnetic code.
• Origin: The term refers to the action of physically swiping the card through a reader to activate or unlock something.

Usage

• Verb (to take or steal): "She swiped several items from the store."
• Noun (access device): "I need to get a new swipe card to enter the building."
• Verb (to use access device): "Swipe your card to open the door."

swipe relate terms

• sweep

  Etymology Old English swapan to sweep brush Proto Germanic swōpaną Proto Indo Eur

• sweep

  Etymology Old English swapan to sweep brush Proto Germanic swōpaną Proto Indo Eur

• sweepstakes

  Etymology The word sweepstakes is derived from the following Middle English terms Sw

• side swipe

  Etymology Side swipe is a compound noun formed from the words side and swipe Mean

• side

  Etymology The word side comes from the Old English word side which is derived from t

• swipe

  Etymology The word swipe has two distinct etymologies depending on its usage 1 To t

• cabbage

  Etymology Middle English cabach cabage Old North French caboche cabuige Late Latin

• purloin

  Etymology The word purloin originated from the Middle English word purloynen which

• abstract

  Etymology Origin Latin abstractus past participle of abstrahere meaning to draw away

• whip

  Etymology of Whip The word whip originates from the Old English word hweopan which m

• flit

  Etymology of flit Middle English flitten from Old English fleotan to move float

• lift

  Etymology Lift derives from the Middle English word lyften which is itself derived fr

• snake

  Etymology Old English snaca Proto Germanic snakô Proto Indo European sneh₂ǵ Me

• sneak

  Etymology of Sneak The word sneak originates from the Middle English term sneke wh