Английский Этимологический словарь - down (adv.)

- O.E. ofdune "downwards," from dune "from the hill," dat. of dun "hill." Sense of "depress mentally" is c.1967, though it also had been used so in 17c. Slang sense of "aware, wide awake" is attested from 1812. Down-and-out is from 1889, Amer.Eng., from situation of a beaten prizefighter; downcast in the sense of "dejected" is from 1633; downpour is recorded from 1811; downright was in M.E.; downtrodden in the figurative sense of "oppressed" is from 1595. Down home is from 1848, Amer.Eng.; downplay (v.) "de-emphasize" first attested 1968; down the hatch as a toast is from 1931; down to the wire is 1901, from horse-racing.