「 influence 」の語源

1580年代、「自由に流れる」（水について）、また、話者については「言葉の使用において能弁で軽快な」から、ラテン語のfluentem（主格fluens）「緩んだ、リラックスした」、比喩的に「流れる、流暢な」、動詞fluere「流れる、流れ出る、溶ける」の現在分詞、PIE*bhleu-「膨らむ、湧き上がる、溢れる」の拡張形から（ラテン語のflumen「川」、ギリシャ語のphluein「沸き立つ、泡立つ」、phlein「豊富にある」の語源でもある）、根*bhel- (2)「吹く、膨らむ」の拡張形。17世紀には「変わりやすい、硬直でない」という意味でfluid (adj.) と交換可能に使用された。関連語：Fluently。

"one who or that which influences," 1660s, agent noun from influence (v.).

Influencer in the specific internet sense is by 2010; it had been used in the jargon of advertising by 2000, in reference to a small group of people whose activities and social connections create product buzz and drive trends. The concept was developed in Malcolm Gladwell's popular 2000 book "The Tipping Point."

When Ford launched its Focus, it gave 150 cars to "key influencers," including DJs and celebrity handlers. Their job was to be seen in the car and to hand out promotional items to people who expressed interest. Similarly, the U.S. importer of Italian-made Vespa scooters paid beautiful people to pose with their bikes at trendy cafes in Los Angeles. [Toronto "Globe and Mail," Aug. 4, 2001]