SOURCE 01supportshistorical dictionary
Etymological — Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary
Publishes the exact-year horizon.
First Known Use: 1588- AUTHOR / EDITOR
- Merriam-Webster Editors
- YEAR
- 2026
- PUBLISHER
- Merriam-Webster
PERMANENT DISPUTE RECORD
ALL DISPUTES ↗CLAIM / COUNTERCLAIM / LIMITRECORD 206
DISPUTE
RECORD.
One scholarly question. Every attached source. The present editorial state, without pretending the last word has been written.
openprobable
Does the English record begin in 1588 or the 1590s?
The reports differ slightly: Merriam-Webster gives 1588 and Etymonline gives the 1590s. Neither date proves the word was coined then.
WORD UNDER REVIEWDISPUTE 206
etymological
/ˌe-tə-mə-ˈlä-ji-kəl/ · adjective
Of, relating to, or based on etymology; an Early Modern English adjective whose exact formation is described differently by major historical dictionaries.
01
DIRECT CLAIM EVIDENCE
3 SOURCES WITH A STANCE
A citation is not a vote. Each record says whether the work supports, challenges, contradicts, or contextualizes the position—and identifies the exact locus used.
SOURCE 02challengeshistorical dictionary
Etymological — Online Etymology Dictionary
Publishes the later decade horizon.
1590s- AUTHOR / EDITOR
- Douglas Harper
- YEAR
- 2026
- PUBLISHER
- Etymonline
SOURCE 03contexteditorial method
What “First Known Use” Means
Explains why the date is an earliest located written record rather than certain coinage.
First-known-use methodology- AUTHOR / EDITOR
- Merriam-Webster Editors
- YEAR
- 2026
- PUBLISHER
- Merriam-Webster
02 / EDITORIAL STATE
THE QUESTION REMAINS OPEN.
- CONFIDENCE
- probable
- STATUS
- open
- LEGACY SOURCE SUMMARY
- The earliest currently located written record can change as scholarship finds earlier evidence.
Both reports and the evidence limit remain visible pending direct witness inspection.