also slip-stream, "current backward or downward caused by a rotating blade," 1913 (as two words), from slip (n.2) + stream (n.). Used figuratively for any force drawing something in its wake.
Entries linking to slipstream
slip n.2
in numerous and various senses from slip (v.), late 13c. as a surname. The meaning "sloping landing place for ships between wharves or a dock" is by mid-15c. The meaning "act of slipping" (as walking on ice) is from 1590s. The meaning "mistake, fault, blunder," especially if minor or unintended is from 1570s.
The sense of "woman's sleeveless garment" (1761) is from notion of something easily "slipped" on or off (compare sleeve). Originally an outer garment; in 20c. of a sleeveless undergarment or petticoat.
To give (someone) the slip "escape from" is from 1560s. Slip of the tongue is 1725 (from Latin lapsus linguae); slip of the pen (Latin lapsus calami) is 1650s.
stream n.
Old English stream "a course of water," from Proto-Germanic *strauma- (source also of Old Saxon strom, Old Norse straumr, Danish strøm, Swedish ström, Norwegian straum, Old Frisian stram, Dutch stroom, Old High German stroum, German Strom "current, river"), from PIE root *sreu- "to flow."
From early 12c. as "anything issuing from a source and flowing continuously." Meaning "current in the sea" (as in Gulf Stream) is recorded from late 14c., as is the sense of "steady current in a river." Stream of consciousness in lit crit first recorded 1930, originally in psychology (1855). Stream of thought is from 1890.