Here's a breakdown of its linguistic journey:
* Latin: "diaeta" (way of life)
* Old French: "diete"
* Middle English: "dyet"
* Modern English: "diet"
Initially, "diaeta" referred to a general way of life, including food, exercise, and daily routines. Over time, the focus shifted towards the food aspect, leading to the modern meaning of "diet" as a specific plan for regulating food intake.