Where does “scatterplot” come from?

Scatterplot comes from English scatter and plot, with plot deriving from Middle English and Old English plot, from Proto-Germanic plataz and Proto-Indo-European b(e)lad-.

scatterplot (English): Alternative spelling of scatter plot; To plot...

Definitions

  1. Alternative spelling of scatter plot; To plot...

Ancestry of “scatterplot”, step by step

scatterplot traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.

via English plot

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishplotThe course of a story, comprising a series of...
2Middle Englishplotplot of land
3Old Englishplota plot of ground
4Proto-Germanicplatazslap, strike, blow
5Proto-Indo-Europeanb(e)lad-to strike, beat

via English scatter

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishscatterTo separate and go in different directions; to...
2Middle Englishscateren
3Old Englishsceaterian
Every word from Proto-Indo-European b(e)lad-Every word from Proto-Germanic platazEvery word from Old English plot
scatterplot — Etymology, Origin & Word History | Etymology Explorer