Definition of the word tap

The word "tap" has a fascinating history. The verb "tap" originates from the 13th century Old English word "tæppan," which means "to strike gently" or "to hit." This sense of gentle striking relates to the action of touching a surface with a light blow. Over time, the meaning of "tap" expanded to include senses such as "to draw or extract" (e.g., tapping a keg), "to strike or hit with a short, light blow" (e.g., tapping a drum), and even "to operate a valve or tap to control the flow of a liquid" (e.g., turning a tap to let out water). In the 16th century, the noun "tap" emerged, referring to a device for drawing off a liquid, such as a beer tap or a water tap. Today, the word "tap" has many uses, from music and dance (tap dance) to plumbing and technology (tap into a network).