What is the origin of word queue?

The word "queue" has a fascinating history, with its origin tracing back to the Latin word "cauda," meaning "tail."

Here's a breakdown of its evolution:

1. Latin "cauda" (tail): This is the root of the word.

2. Old French "cue" (tail): "Cauda" evolved into "cue" in Old French, retaining the sense of "tail."

3. Middle English "queue" (tail): The word entered Middle English as "queue," still referring to a tail, but with a slightly different pronunciation.

4. Modern English "queue" (line): The meaning of "queue" shifted from "tail" to "line of people" in the 17th century. This shift was likely influenced by the practice of people lining up "tail-end" to tail" to wait for something, like at a ticket booth.

So, while the original meaning was "tail," the word "queue" today signifies a line of people waiting for something, thanks to a long journey through various languages.