toggle
/ˈtɒɡəl/
verb
Origin
English
unknown — Possibly of dialectal origin related to Norwegian 'toggel' or dialectal 'tuggle'.
Overview
Meaning Now
- To switch between two states, such as on and off or visible and hidden.
- To operate a mechanism using a toggle, specifically a pin or rod passed through a loop.
Literal older meaning
A pin or wooden rod inserted through a link or loop in a rope or chain to prevent it from slipping.
Language path
English
Earliest form
toggle
Earliest period
late 18th century
Journey
The word originally described a nautical tool: a small wooden pin or rod inserted into the bight or loop of a rope to prevent it from slipping through a hole or to connect it to another rope. Its modern computing usage, referring to binary switches, was adopted in the mid-20th century to describe the two-state action of such hardware switches.
Evolution
- 1789
toggle
“a pin, bolt, or rod used in rigging”
First documented usage in nautical contexts.
- 19th century
toggle
“a fastener or button shaped like a pin”
Generalization from maritime equipment to clothing fasteners.
- 20th century
toggle
“to switch between two options”
Borrowed into computing for binary state switching.
Connections
Word parts
toggle
root
a rod or pin fastener
Related across languages
Norwegian
toggel
a pin or rod
Explore next
Related to toggle
External references use DefinedTerm semantics.