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…
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
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