An online etymology dictionary. Here's one entry:
compute
1631, from Fr. computer, from L. computare "to count, sum up," from com- "with" + putare "to reckon," orig. "to prune." Computer used for person, 1646; mechanical calculating machine, 1897; and electronic machine, 1946 or 1941. In the modern meaning, "programmable digital electronic computer" is from 1945 (theoretical sense is from 1937, as Turing machine). ENIAC (1946) is usually considered the first. Computerese first recorded 1960.
[via metafilter.com]
Posted by johndan at December 9, 2004 07:15 PM | TrackBack