Posted by ESC on February 01, 2007
In Reply to: "To throw a switch" posted by dave on February 01, 2007
: What's the origin of the phrase "to throw a switch"? Why are switches "thrown"?
Throwing a switch is moving a lever -- as in throwing a railroad switch. Maybe the motion reminded someone of throwing an object.
http://neil.fraser.name/writing/side-track/8a-lever.jpg