# A place to learn about math etymology?

I was recently wondering where the word kernel' comes from in mathematics. I am sure the internet must know. I did manage to find

http://www.pballew.net/etyindex.html#k

which contains the origin of many math words but it doesn't have kernel'; it also only seems to address math words you might run into in at most a 1st or 2nd year college math course. I'm wondering if anyone is aware of a reference that might address the origin of more modern math words (but not so modern that it doesn't discuss kernel).

EDIT: By `math etymology' I mean why a particular word was used for a certain math concept. Of course such an explanation might involve discussing the actual etymology of the word.

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If you had typed "etymology" in the search box at the top of the page you'd have found references to Jeff Miller's list in prior posts here. –  Bill Dubuque Jan 29 '11 at 1:42
Did you want to know about kernel in algebra or in analysis? –  KCd Jan 29 '11 at 21:34

You'll want to check out Earliest Known Uses of Some of the Words of Mathematics, maintained by Jeff Miller. In particular, an entry for 'kernel' appears here.

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That earliest known use doesn't explain why the word kernel was chosen in algebra. –  KCd Jan 29 '11 at 21:34
@KCd: That's true, nor does it give any reason to think that Pontrjagan's use was first. I was a bit surprised that the answer was accepted. –  Jonas Meyer Jan 29 '11 at 22:19