To accelerate an engine by increasing the speed of revolution. To increase the speed or intensity of activity.
Short for 'revolution,' referring to the rotational speed of an engine. The abbreviation became common in the early 20th century with the rise of automobiles and internal combustion engines.
The term 'revving your engine' created a whole family of metaphors about increasing intensity - we 'rev up' for events, get 'revved up' with excitement, and talk about 'high-rev' performance! It's amazing how a mechanical term became so central to describing human energy.
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