The Shocking Origin of the Word “Electric” – Useless Etymology

The term “electric” entered the English language in the 1600s from the Modern Latin electricus, which means “resembling amber” (Greek ēlektron, “amber”). 

But what is the connection between electricity, electrons, and fossilized tree resin?

This word originated from early investigations into magnetism and the exchange of electrons that causes static electricity phenomena like hair standing on end and finger zaps after walking on carpet in woolen socks.

The Latin electricus was first used in De Magnete, a scientific work published in 1600 by William Gilbert focusing on magnetism. 

Gilbert used the Latin electricus to describe the observation that rubbing amber against materials like wool or a cat’s fur caused the materials to stick to the amber. This sticking and zapping between amber and other materials was due to static electricity, although Gilbert initially believed amber to be magnetic.

Subsequently, other writers, including Francis Bacon, used the English term “electric” to describe materials that attracted other objects due to their magnetic properties.

The noun “electricity” was first documented in 1646 by Sir Thomas Browne, referring to the property of certain materials attracting lightweight objects through friction. 

“Electricity” was to “electric” as “elasticity” was to “elastics”: Materials like amber were referred to as “electrics” with the property of “electricity,” attracting other objects, similar to how “elastics” possess “elasticity” allowing them to stretch without breaking.

While electricity and magnetism (including electromagnetism) are closely related phenomena, the distinction between the terms and the modern usage of “electricity” began to emerge in the 1700s.

In 1891, Irish physicist George Johnstone Stoney introduced the term “electron” by combining the -on from “ion” (coined by Michael Faraday in 1834) with “electric.”

Interestingly, the term “electrocute” originated as a blend of “electric” and “execute” in 1889, referring to executions by electric chair.