Origin and history of wrap-up

"to or toward a point or place higher than another," Old English up, uppe, from Proto-Germanic *upp- "up," from PIE root *upo "under," also "up from under," hence also "over." As a preposition, from late Old English as "down onto, above and touching, sitting on, at the summit of;" from c. 1200 as "to a higher place."

Often used elliptically for go up, come up, rise up, etc. To be up to (something) "engaged in some activity" (typically reprehensible) is by 1837. Slang up the river "in jail" is recorded by 1891, originally in reference to Sing Sing, which is up the Hudson from New York City. To drive someone up the wall (1951) is from the notion of the behavior of lunatics or caged animals. Insulting retort up yours (scil. ass (n.2)) is attested by late 19c.

From the same Proto-Germanic source are Old Frisian, Old Saxon up "up, upward," Old Norse upp; Danish, Dutch op; Old High German uf, German auf "up;" Gothic iup "up, upward," uf "on, upon, under;" Old High German oba, German ob "over, above, on, upon."

early 14c., wrappen, "roll or fold together; envelop, surround; cover and fasten securely, swaddle; fold (something) up or back on itself," a word of uncertain origin.

Perhaps (Watkins) via Scandinavian (compare Danish dialectal vravle "to wind"), from PIE *werp- "to turn, wind," from root *wer- (2) "to turn, bend." Or perhaps a variant of lap (v.2).

Related: Wrapped; wrapping.

late 15c., wrappe, "wrapper or covering," specifically "fine cloth used as a cover or wrapping for bread;" from wrap (v.).

In reference to various types of women's garments, it is attested by 1827; as a cover or blanket to be worn about the person, by 1861.

The meaning "plastic film or cellophane used as a wrap" is from 1930. The meaning "end of a filming session" is attested from 1970 (compare wrap-up). The meaning "sandwich material folded up in a flour tortilla" is by 1998.

The figurative phrase under wraps "in concealment" is recorded from 1939.