Definition of the word turn off

The expression "turn off" originally referred to the act of extinguishing electric lights by turning a switch or knob. In the late 19th century, when Thomas Edison's incandescent light became widely popular, people began using the phrase "turn off" to describe the action of flipping a switch to turn off the lights. As electric lights became more prevalent, the expression "turn off" began to be applied more broadly. By the early 20th century, people began using "turn off" to describe any situation that no longer held one's interest or engagement, such as a person losing interest in a conversation, a TV show becoming less engaging, or a meal losing its appeal. In essence, the phrase "turn off" now describes any situation that causes disinterest or withdrawal from a previous engagement or stimuli. This use of the term has become deeply ingrained in our language, as technology increasingly becomes a part of our daily routines.