Here's a breakdown:
* Origin: The word likely comes from the Italian phrase "influenza di freddo", meaning "influence of cold".
* 1743: This phrase was used in a document by Giovanni Maria Lancisi, an Italian physician, who believed the illness was caused by the influence of celestial bodies.
* 18th Century: The phrase was shortened to simply "influenza" and began to be used more widely across Europe.
* Modern Usage: Today, "influenza" is the widely accepted term for the viral infection commonly called "the flu."
Therefore, while no single person invented the word, Giovanni Maria Lancisi's use of "influenza di freddo" in 1743 is considered a key turning point in the word's evolution.