Why do we call standard procedures 'protocols'?
Why Do We Call Standard Procedures 'Protocols'?
The Etymology
The word protocol has a fascinating linguistic history. It comes from the Medieval Latin protocollum, which is derived from the Greek protokollon.
- Protos means "first."
- Kolla means "glue."
In ancient times, a protokollon was a sheet of papyrus glued to the front of a manuscript. This top sheet served as a table of contents or a summary, detailing the document's contents, date, and how it should be handled. Over time, the meaning shifted from the physical label describing the rules to the rules and procedures themselves.
Evolution of the Meaning
From its origins as a descriptive label, the word expanded into several domains:
- Diplomacy: In international relations, a protocol became the official etiquette, procedure, and rules of conduct for diplomats and heads of state.
- Medicine and Science: It evolved to mean a strict, standardized plan or set of steps for conducting an experiment or treating a patient.
- Computing: In technology, a network protocol defines the exact rules and standards for how data is transmitted between different devices.
Today, whether we are talking about medical emergencies, diplomatic meetings, or computer networking, a "protocol" remains what it was on the ancient papyrus: the definitive guide outlining the proper way to handle a process.