ラテン語のfilum(糸)が語源で、フィラメントと語源は同じ。 古代の文書がしばしば糸で縫い合わされていたことから、file(文書)に由来する。
ファイル filePIE*peigから、切り刻む、切る、gの文字が落ちる、語源的には顔料、絵と同じ。 道具の名前として使われる。
File (filacium) is a threed or wyer, whereon writs, or other exhibits in courts, are fastened for the better keeping of them. [Cowel, "The Interpreter," 1607]Methods have become more sophisticated, but the word has stuck. Meaning "place among the records of a court or office" is from 1510s; of newspaper reporters sending in stories, 1954. Intransitive sense "march in a line (as soldiers do) one after another" is from 1610s. Related: Filed; filing.