- snap (n.)
- late 15c., "quick, sudden bite or cut," from Dutch or Low German snappen "to snap," probably related to Middle Low German or Middle Dutch snavel "bill, beak" (see nib). Sense of "quick movement" is first recorded 1630s; that of "something easily done" is 1877. Common in compounds to indicate instantaneous action (cf. cold snap, 1829). The card game is attested from 1882. Snap judgment is attested from 1841.
- snap (v.)
- 1520s, "to make a quick bite" (of animals), from snap (n.). Meaning "to break suddenly or sharply" is first recorded c.1600; the mental sense is from 1970s. U.S. football sense first recorded 1887. Related: Snapped; snapping. To snap the fingers is from 1670s. Phrase snap out of it recorded by 1907. Snapping turtle is attested from 1784. Snap-brim as a type of hat is from 1928.