Definition of the word dig up

The phrase "dig up" has its roots in Middle English, where it was spelled as "dygge grene" meaning "to dig green (plants)". Over time, the meaning of the phrase evolved to refer to digging up various things, including grains, potatoes, and bodies. The earliest known use of the phrase "dig up" in its modern meaning, to extract something from the ground, can be traced back to the late 14th century. The term "dig" itself has its etymology in the Old English phrase "dycon", which meant "to extract, to dig". Over time, the spelling changed to "digge" and finally "dig". The expression "dig up" has been used with varying meanings over the centuries, but all carry some form of excavation. Its usage as an idiomatic phrase meaning "to uncover hidden information" is believed to have emerged during the 19th century, possibly as a result of the increasing importance given to uncovering buried truths and securing evidence in the nascent field of detective work. In summary, the origin of the phrase "dig up" can be traced back to its literal meaning of excavating, which evolved over time to represent uncovering information and discovering hidden truths.