How long have we been turning devices on? “Turning” seems like it would be associated with moving a rotary switch, but is that really where it comes from?
Also, what about “on?” When did “on” become associated with a machine or device being in a powered-up state? Likewise with “off” meaning the device is not energized?
“On” meaning “operating” predates the development of electrical devices; Shakespeare used it in King Lear. There seems to be a gap, but the OED’s next source is from 1830 and has nothing to do with electricity.
[QUOTE=OED]
b. In action or operation; taking place, in progress; functioning.
[a1616 Shakespeare King Lear (1623) ii. ii. 342 So will you wish on me, when the rash moode is on.]
1830 Examiner 76/1 Several commissions being ‘on’ at the same time.
1873 W. Black Princess of Thule ii. 13 There was a considerable sea on.
[/QUOTE]
The OED’s first cite in connection with an electrical device is from 1899.
It’s harder to determine “turn on” from the OED, but I would bet it has to do with gas lighting, not electrical lighting.
Ah, yes:
I imagine the “turn” comes from the taps used for gas and water. Certainly when I was growing up, we turned things on, but had no electrical dials. As for “on” and “off”, I have no knowledge but it could have been metaphorical: “put the food on the table, take it off the table”. Good a guess as any.
There is also the sense of getting on (with a job), or getting on (a horse).
There is a season, turn, turn, turn…
Maybe not. But I remember when I was a kid in the sixties, most radios had a rotary knob that doubled as on-off switch and volume control. So you literally had to turn them to make it go on.
There’sthis Snopes article debunking a supposed late 1800s article advising new brides on what to expect in terms of their wedding night (i.e. sex). They make note of the fact that before electric lights people said put the light out not off.