Where does “backlog” come from?

Backlog derives from English back and English logarithm, which comes from Old French loge and Ancient Greek λόγος (logos, "word" or "reckoning"), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European gʷémtis.

backlog (English): A large log to burn at the back of a fire; A...

Definitions

  1. A large log to burn at the back of a fire; A...

Ancestry of “backlog”, step by step

backlog traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.

via English back

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishbackNear the rear; Not current; Far from the main...
2Frenchbacferry; vat; high school exit exam in France; A...
3Frenchbaccalauréatbaccalaureat; bachelor's degree
4Medieval Latinbaccalaureatusbachelor's degree
5Latinbaccalaureusbachelor
6Latinlaurealaurel, bay tree; crown, wreath or branch of...
7Latinlauruslaurel tree; laurels; a crown of laurel
8English-aceousOf, relating to, resembling or containing the...
9Latin-āceusaceous; resembling, having the nature of, forming, belonging to
10Latin-āxish, -y
11Latin-iumSuffix used to form abstract nouns, sometimes...
12Latin-iusforming adjectives from nouns; nominative neuter...
13Proto-Italic-jōsForms comparative adjectives
14Proto-Indo-European-yósCreates adjectives from noun or verb stems

via English log

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishlogThe trunk of a dead tree, cleared of branches;...
2Middle Englishloggelarge long stick, staff, pole, log
3Old Frenchlogearbor, covered walk-way; arbour, covered walk-way
4Latinlaubĭapenthouse, gallery, arcade, portico, lodge
5Frankishlaubijāshelter; arbour; shelter, arbour; arbour, shelter
6Proto-West Germaniclaubleaf; foliage
7Proto-Germaniclaubąleaf
8Proto-Indo-Europeanlewp-peel, break off; to flake off, peel, damage; to...
9Proto-Indo-Europeanlew-dirt, mud; to cut, remove, prune, separate; to...
Every word from Proto-Indo-European -yós