Where does “LISTSERV” come from?

LISTSERV (English) comes from English listserver, from English server, from English serve, from French servir, from German servieren, from Italian servire, from Spanish servir, from Latin serviō — to flow; to guard; to bind, to tie together.

LISTSERV (English): A type of electronic mailing list, allowing for distribution of email to many subscribers

Definitions

  1. A type of electronic mailing list, allowing for distribution of email to many subscribers

Ancestry of “LISTSERV”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishlistserverA server that distributes messages to members of...
2EnglishserverA program that provides services to other...
3EnglishserveAn act of putting the ball or shuttlecock in play...
4Frenchservirto serve; to be used for; to be useful for...
5Germanservierento serve (food); to wait (at table)
6Italianservireto serve; to need; to plate
7Spanishservirto serve; to be of use, to be good for; to help...
8Latinserviōto be a slave to; to serve
9Latinservusa servant; a serf; a slave
10Proto-Italicserwosguardian
11Proto-Indo-Europeanser-wo-sguardian
12Proto-Indo-Europeanser-to flow; to guard; to bind, to tie together

Words derived from “LISTSERV

Every word from Proto-Indo-European ser-Every word from Proto-Indo-European ser-wo-sEvery word from Proto-Italic serwos
LISTSERV — Etymology, Origin & Word History | Etymology Explorer