A small lever on a gun or device that you pull to make it work; also something that causes a sudden reaction or event.
From Dutch *trekker* “trigger,” literally “puller,” from *trekken* “to pull.” It entered English in the 17th century for firearms and later gained broader figurative uses.
The idea of a small pull causing a big event is so powerful that *trigger* now describes emotional reactions too. One tiny reminder can “pull” a whole chain of memories and feelings into action, just like a trigger fires a bullet.
‘Trigger’ originates in mechanical and weapons contexts but has been extended into psychology to describe stimuli that evoke traumatic responses. Online, it has sometimes been used to mock or dismiss trauma, especially that of women and marginalized groups, undermining its clinical seriousness.
Use ‘trigger’ carefully in mental health contexts and avoid using it casually as a joke or insult. Prefer more precise descriptions of emotional responses when possible.
["provoke","set off","cause a reaction","remind"]
Acknowledge the work of trauma survivors, many of them women, who developed language for triggers to advocate for safer environments and trauma-informed care.
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