Origin and history of tip

c. 1300, tippen, "knock (something) down, overturn, topple, knock askew" (transitive), a word of uncertain origin, possibly from Scandinavian (compare Swedish tippa "to tip, dump"), or from a special use of tip (v.3). Also compare tilt (v.1) "fall down, topple."

The intransitive sense of "fall over, be overturned" is from mid-15c.; that of "lean or slant from the perpendicular" is by 1660s. The transitive sense of "turn from a perpendicular position, tilt, cant" (a bottle or other solid object) is from 1620s. Related: Tipped; tipping. A register from 1301 contains the nickname Johanna Tippelevedy. 

To tip the scales at "weigh (so much)" is from 1879; by 1891 in the figurative sense of "overcome one consideration by a greater," on the notion of "depress one end of the balance by excess of weight." Tipping point attested by 1972. To tip (one's) hand "reveal one's intentions" is by 1907, an image from poker-playing.

As a noun, "act of tipping or tilting, inclination, fact of being tipped," by 1849. As "place where a wagon, etc. may dump a load" is by 1862.

late 14c., tippe, "upper part or extreme end of something slender," especially if rounded or pointed; also "metal attachment to the end of something." Earliest uses are in reference to the end of the toe (see tiptoe). Also used later of a tongue, finger, arrow, or pen.

Not attested in Old English. Probably from Middle Low German or Middle Dutch tip "utmost point, extremity, tip" (compare German zipfel, a diminutive formation); or probably [Middle English Compendium] from a Scandinavian source (compare Old Norse typpi). Proposed relationships to top present phonetic difficulties.

Tipping as "hard, pointed covering on the end of a weapon" is by early 14c. Colloquial tip of (one's) tongue "just on the point of being spoken" is by 1722. In the tea trade, tips, denoting leaf-buds, is by 1897. Tippy (adj.) was old slang for "modish, dressed in the height of fashion" (1810). The old phrase neither tip nor toe (c. 1600) meant "no particle or trace of" someone. For arse over tip see arse (n.).

c. 1200, "to strike; to occur suddenly," a word of uncertain origin, possibly from Low German tippen "to poke, to hit or touch lightly," which related to Middle Low German tip "end, point," and thus connected to tip (n.1). Or perhaps it is related to tap (v.1).

In English the meaning "strike sharply but lightly, tap" is from 1560s. Specifically in sports, "hit (the ball, etc.) with a light touch or tap," by 1816, originally in cricket. Tip-in (n.) is by 1958 as a kind of basketball rebound. Related: Tipped; tipping.

"give a small present of money to," nominally for service and in addition to regular payment or wages; by 1706, from earlier sense of "give, hand, pass" (c. 1600), a word in thieves' cant, of uncertain origin. Perhaps it is from tip (v.2) "to tap" via a notion of "throw lightly to (another); direct toward" in expressions such as tip one a copper.

Hence the noun in this sense (1755) and the verb in the extended sense of "give private information to," which is attested by 1883. Related: Tipped; tipping.

The popularity of the tale of the word's supposed origin as an acronym in mid-18th century English taverns is attested by 1909 in Frederick W. Hackwood's book "Inns, Ales and Drinking Customs of Old England," where it was said to stand for To insure promptitude (in the form to insure promptness the anecdote is told from 1946). A reviewer of the book in The Athenaeum of Oct. 2, 1909, wrote, "We deprecate the careless repetition of popular etymologies such as the notion that 'tip' originated from an abbreviated inscription on a box placed on the sideboard in old coaching-inns, the full meaning of which was 'To Insure Promptitude.' " Also see here.

"a light, sharp blow or tap," mid-15c., tippe, probably from tip (v.3). Also compare tig (n.), tick (n.2). In baseball, "a light glancing hit of the ball with the bat," by 1889.

"small present of money given to a servant or employee for service in addition to regular wages; 1755, from tip (v.3). Also see here. The colloquial meaning "piece of confidential information for the benefit of the one to whom it is imparted" is attested by 1845.

"put a tip on, cover the tip of, adorn or reinforce with a tip," late 14c., tippen, from tip (n.1) or Old Norse typpa. A tipped staff (late 14c.), one with an inset tip (usually of horn) was carried as a mark of distinction or authority.