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The verb form of 'plug' meaning "to close tightly (a hole), to fill" is first recorded 1630. The phrase 'plug away' derives from naval bombardmental warfare, precise era unknown. In action, all effort was directed at sinking opponents until victory was (fairly) certain. Damage control was ignored until results were decisive. In a 'losing' battle, the enemy was welcome to try to save the ship, but, it was considered a minor victory of a sort when ones ship sunk, failing to fall into enemy hands. In a victory, once the enemy's defeat was certain, then, and only then, were hands released from their aggressive responsibilities to repair standing and running rigging, haul the wounded below and begin damage control and 'plug away' any underwater shot holes.
Wiki User
∙ 15y ago
Wiki User
∙ 7y agoThe ultimate origin of Plug or Plugging is unknown, although thought to be connected to middle Dutch or low German from the word 'plugge' Plugging along appears in 1867 and again in 1900 referring (possibly) to old horses sometime called 'plugs'
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