# 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.

• 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