The English language is full of fascinating etymological oddities, and the word “stationery” is no exception. While many people may assume that the word is related to the concept of being stationary, its origins actually lie in the medieval trade of bookselling.
In medieval times, most books were sold by traveling peddlers who would set up shop in different locations each day. However, there was a select group of booksellers who operated from fixed locations, known as stationarii. These stationarii were typically employed by universities or other institutions, and they were responsible for providing students and scholars with books and writing supplies.
The term “stationary” is derived from the Latin word “stationarius,” which means “standing still” or “fixed.” This name reflected the fact that stationarii were not nomadic traders like their counterparts, but instead operated from permanent shops.
Over time, the word “stationary” came to refer not only to the booksellers themselves but also to the goods they sold, including pens, ink, paper, and other writing supplies. The -ary suffix is used to indicate a person, whereas the -ery suffix is used to indicate a place or a thing.
So, while the modern meaning of “stationery” has evolved from its medieval origins, it still carries a hint of its stationary roots. The word evokes images of stationary shops filled with writing supplies, a reminder of the time when books and writing were essential tools for learning and communication