Privy to information and included in making a decision, or not. The “loop” referred to is a group of persons among whom information circulates and who make decisions. Dating from the 1970s, these terms are frequently used in a business context. A New York Times headline about women not being included read “Out of the Loop in Silicon Valley” (April 19, 2010). Or, “He’s new to the job so please be sure to keep him in the loop.” An earlier synonym for the positive phrase is in the know, meaning privy to special information and dating from the late nineteenth century.