To include someone in a conversation, decision-making process, or information sharing; to bring someone into the circle of knowledge about a particular matter.
This phrase emerged from mid-20th century business and military contexts, drawing from the concept of communication loops or circuits where information flows in a closed path. Being 'in the loop' meant having access to important information, while being 'looped in' meant being deliberately included in that information flow. The metaphor gained widespread corporate usage in the 1980s-90s.
The phrase reveals how we think about information as something that flows in circles rather than straight lines. A 'loop' suggests ongoing, circular communication where everyone stays connected, rather than one-way information delivery. It's become essential business jargon, though it sometimes masks the simple act of 'telling someone something.'
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