To tear or pull apart forcefully; to move with great speed or violence.
From Middle English 'rippen', possibly from Old Norse or Low German origins. The word has maintained its basic meaning of forceful tearing throughout its history.
The phrase 'let it rip' originally came from starting engines by pulling a ripcord - the same mechanism used in parachutes and lawnmowers. Modern slang 'RIP' for 'rest in peace' is completely unrelated, being an acronym rather than the ancient word for tearing.
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