Hacker News Reader

> "President" was supposed to be the most boring title. It was chosen because the role was supposed to be simply that: To be present

President doesn't come from the word "present" [1], and has been used for millennia (2ish) more than you're implying.

[1] https://www.etymonline.com/word/president

View on HN

Maybe you meant centuries, and not millennia? English, even it's oldest forms, hasn't been around for millennia. Anyway, as your own etymology link demonstrates, the word's first use in its present meaning, as an executive leader of a republic--especially of something the size and importance of a nation state--is first in the US Constitution. Prior to that it generally meant leaders of more modest organizations: "heads of religious houses, hospitals, colleges and universities."

I meant linguistic usage - it has had a very similar definition (head of something) for millennia.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com