It is interesting that we begin by knowing the etymological origin of the term tap before delving into its meaning. In this case, we can state that it derives from the Latin word "gryphus", which, in turn, emanates from the Greek term "gryphós". A word that was used to name a fabulous animal that was identified as a perfect mix between a lion and an eagle.
The Royal Spanish Academy ( RAE ) recognizes more than a dozen meanings of the concept.
In the field of plumbing , a faucet is a key that is used to allow, regulate or prevent the passage of a fluid . These taps are installed at the mouth of pipes or pipes to manage water use.
Faucets, which are also known as taps , have a seat key , a threaded stem and a rubber, leather or rubber washer (colloquially called cuerito, soleta or zapata). By turning the tap, the person opens or closes the flow of water as the mechanism enables or blocks the circulation of the liquid.
Generally, at the end of the faucet spout, a piece with some type of framework is installed so that the water does not fall suddenly, but rather subtly as a rain or fine stream.
The expression "turn on the tap" , on the other hand, is used in a symbolic sense to refer to granting something (usually money ) without control or requirements, while phrases such as "close the tap" or "cut off the tap" refer to the opposite. For example: "To avoid social conflicts, the government is willing to turn on the tap and provide subsidies and aid," "As I failed my exams, my father turned off the tap and won't give me money for vacations."
A griffin, furthermore, is a mythological being that has the head and wings of an eagle and the body of a lion . In some cases he is also represented with fish fins and horse ears.
In the same way, we cannot ignore the word hippogriff, which refers to an imaginary creature that is hybrid, since it is a type of winged horse but has the head and some limbs of an eagle.
In works by the poet Ovid, in the 16th century work "Orlando Furioso", in some chivalric poems and even in several heraldic shields, this unique figure appears, which has also regained some prominence in recent years. Yes, and all because the hippogriff has been present in one of the books of the emblematic literary saga starring the young wizard Harry Potter, created by the writer JK Rowling.
Specifically, two of the novels in said saga have appeared: "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban" and "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire."
In addition to everything indicated, we cannot ignore that in Peru the term tap is used to refer to a gas station and that this term can also be found as a surname. A good example of the latter is the Italian punchmaker Francesco Grifo (1450 – 1518).