Origin and history of uptick

early 13c., tiken, "to touch" (someone, as part of a game or playfully), "tap lightly or with a small, sharp sound," perhaps from an Old English verb corresponding to tick (n.2), and perhaps ultimately echoic. Compare Old High German zeckon "to pluck," Dutch tikken "to pat," Norwegian tikke "touch lightly."

The meaning "make a ticking sound; emit a slight, recurring tick" is from 1721. In reference to a running taxi cab meter, by 1926. Figurative phrase what makes one tick "what drives or motivates a person" is attested by 1931. The old colloquial phrase tick and toy was "indulge in playful petting." Related: Ticked; ticking.

"to or toward a point or place higher than another," Old English up, uppe, from Proto-Germanic *upp- "up," from PIE root *upo "under," also "up from under," hence also "over." As a preposition, from late Old English as "down onto, above and touching, sitting on, at the summit of;" from c. 1200 as "to a higher place."

Often used elliptically for go up, come up, rise up, etc. To be up to (something) "engaged in some activity" (typically reprehensible) is by 1837. Slang up the river "in jail" is recorded by 1891, originally in reference to Sing Sing, which is up the Hudson from New York City. To drive someone up the wall (1951) is from the notion of the behavior of lunatics or caged animals. Insulting retort up yours (scil. ass (n.2)) is attested by late 19c.

From the same Proto-Germanic source are Old Frisian, Old Saxon up "up, upward," Old Norse upp; Danish, Dutch op; Old High German uf, German auf "up;" Gothic iup "up, upward," uf "on, upon, under;" Old High German oba, German ob "over, above, on, upon."