Definition of the word plunge into

The origin of the phrase "plunge into" can be traced back to the early 16th century, during the Middle English period. Back then, the term was spelt as "plonge" and was used to describe the act of diving or jumping into water. The word "plonge" is believed to have originated from the Old French word "plongier" which meant 'to envelop oneself completely' or 'to immerse oneself'. The "g" in the Old French word evolved to become "nge" in Middle English, resulting in the spelling "plonge". As the language evolved, the spelling of the term changed as well. During the 16th century, the word "plunge" came to represent a sudden, decisive movement or action, which was often associated with diving into water. This idea of plunging into something other than water soon followed, with the term being used to describe various activities and experiences such as plunging into a task, plunging into a good novel, or plunging into a difficult situation. In summary, "plunge into" has its roots in the Old French term "plongier", meaning 'to envelop' or 'to immerse oneself', and it evolved throughout the Middle English period to become the phrase we know today, which refers to an intense and decisive immersion into something.