ChatGPT学英语 What is the origin of the English word 'toggle'?

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What is the origin of the English word 'toggle'?

ChatGPT

"toggle" 这个英文词的起源可追溯到18世纪，非常有趣。它被认为来源于动词 "tug"，意为用力拉或拖。在航海术语中，"toggle" 指的是一种带有弯曲端口的木制销或楔子，用于固定船上的绳索和索具。楔子的形状使得它能够轻松地插入一个孔中，然后转动或拉动来保持固定。
随着时间的推移，"toggle" 这个词扩展了使用范围，并在各个行业和技术中被采用。在现代的语境中，"toggle" 通常指的是一个开关或机制，用于打开或关闭某个东西，或在不同状态或选项之间进行切换。例如，我们通常称一个可以在两个位置之间切换的灯开关或按钮为 "toggle switch"。
在现代科技和用户界面中，切换不同状态或选项的概念是该词在使用中的核心。原始航海用途中楔子的多功能性和易用性可能促成了这个词在各行业的采用。

The word 'toggle' has an interesting origin that traces back to the 18th century. It is believed to have originated from the word 'tug,' which means to pull or to haul with force. In nautical terms, a 'toggle' referred to a wooden pin or peg with a curved end that was used to secure ropes and lines on a ship. The shape of the peg allowed it to be easily inserted through a hole and then turned or pulled to keep it in place.
Over time, the term 'toggle' expanded in usage and found its way into various industries and technologies. In modern contexts, a toggle typically refers to a switch or a mechanism that can be used to turn something on or off, or to switch between different states or options. For example, a light switch or a button that can be flipped or moved between two positions is often referred to as a toggle switch.
The concept of toggling between different states or options is central to the term's usage in modern technology and user interfaces. The versatility and ease of use of the original nautical toggles likely contributed to the adoption of the term in various industries.

toggle
tog·gle / ˈtɔgl; NAmE ˈtɑːgl /
noun
1. a short piece of wood, plastic, etc. that is put through a loop of thread to fasten sth, such as a coat or bag, instead of a button
   (大衣或口袋等上木质或塑料的)栓扣钉,棒形钮扣,套索扣
2. (also 'toggle switch) (computing 计) a key on a computer that you press to change from six style or operation to another, and back again
   转换键；切换键

verb  
(computing 计) to press a key or set of keys on a computer keyboard in order to turn a feature on or off, or to move from six program, etc. to another
   (两种状态之间)切换,转换:
  ▪ [V]
   He toggled between the ten windows.
   他在两个窗口之间来回切换。
  ▪ [VN]
   This key toggles various views of the data.
   按此键可切换数据的各种视图。

Liam

tog·gle
I. \ˈtägəl\ noun
(-s)
Usage: often attributive
Etymology: origin unknown
1. : a piece or device for holding or securing: as
a. : a wood or metal pin inserted in a nautical knot to make it more secure or easier to slip
b.
  (1) : any crosspiece attached to the end of or to a loop in something (as a chain, rope, line, strap, belt) usually to prevent slipping, to serve in twisting or tightening, or to hold something attached
   < the toggle of a watch chain >
   < use a stick as a toggle in tightening a rope >
  (2) : an object (as a chain or rope) with such a device
c. : a rod or screw with a T-head crosspiece or with a cone-shaped compressible nut that can pass through a hole in one direction but not in the opposite direction
d. : a button or frog capable of being engaged or disengaged for temporary purposes
e. : a short length of rope with a swivel and loop for tethering an animal
f. : a strap or cord fastened to the rear doorpost in an automobile as a handhold for passengers
g. : toggle chain
2.
a. : toggle joint
b. : a device having a toggle joint
c. : one of the bars of a toggle joint
II. transitive verb
(toggled ; toggled ; toggling \-g(ə)liŋ\ ; toggles)
1. : to fasten with or as if with a toggle : hold fast with or as if with a toggle iron
< the sergeant would … toggle his holster — Time >
2.
a. : to furnish with a toggle
b. : to mend (as a harness) in makeshift or bungling fashion especially with pieces of rope
  < a toggled machine in danger of going to pieces at any moment — Hamlin Garland >
c. dialect : to add decoration to : make prettier : dress up
  < put an ornament on a dress to toggle it up >
3. : to release (a bomb) from an airplane by a toggle switch instead of relying on the automatic release triggered by the bombsight
< all he had to do was toggle the bombs out — Bert Stiles >
III. verb
intransitive verb
: to switch between two options especially of an electronic device usually by pressing a single button or a simple key combination