By Vincent on Apr 5, 2008
Readers Challenge: Origin of the “Joystick” word
Today’s post is rather short, but I’m certain some of you will spend time on this. This is something I always wanted to know, but I never dared to ask: what is the etymology of the “joystick” word ?
Obviously, I’m not asking about the “stick” part. Even for a non-native english speaker as me, this is clear. But joy ? Google gave me various hypothesis, but none seems confirmed.
I’m waiting for your explanations, preferably with supporting facts. I will offer my gratitude to whom will find the origin of this word and share it in comments. Here you go…
If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Have a look at my homebase for a good overview. Thanks for visiting!
4 Comments, Comment or Ping
Cliff Stanford
Joy-stick, relating to an aeroplane rather than a joystick which relates to a computer control device, appears to be an English (rather than American) term. In the US, it is referred to as a “control stick”.
The earliest use appears to be in a short book by Horatio Barber in 1916 in his short book, The Aeroplane Speaks. He defines it as meaning “Control Lever” in his glossary.
There is a suggestion that it was a vulgar term for the control stick, with the implication that a (male) pilot was gripping the stick between his legs; his joy-stick.
Cliff.
Apr 6th, 2008
Don Dinwiddie
I am American and that was my understanding. The Brits are prone to that kind of word play.
Apr 7th, 2008
PlasticPilot
Thank you for your answers. I knew about the “gentlemen-only” version, but I hoped for something else… Debate remains open, any theory is welcome.
Apr 8th, 2008
Axel
Check this link out:
http://www.next-gen.biz/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=958&Itemid=2
I’d probably be breaking some copyrights if I were to copy and paste the text on to here, so just check out the link above instead. It offers some plausible (and non-sexual
) explanations for the origins of this term.
Enjoy.
Apr 9th, 2008
Reply to “Readers Challenge: Origin of the “Joystick” word”