Here's the breakdown:
* Harp: This word originates from Old English *hearpe*, which itself comes from Proto-Germanic *harpō*.
* Harping: This verb evolved from the noun "harp" and initially meant "to play the harp."
* Figurative Meaning: Over time, "harping" took on a figurative meaning, referring to someone repeatedly dwelling on or talking about a particular subject, much like a harp player might repeat a single note or melody.
So, while "harping" originally referred to a musical act, it has evolved to represent the act of dwelling on a subject in a repetitive and often tiresome manner.