gelH— to throw!

The word volatility traces its origins to the Latin root volatilis, meaning “fleeting” or “swift,” derived from volare, meaning “to fly.” This Latin term describes something that moves quickly or is prone to change. In English, the term volatile initially entered the language in the late Middle Ages, around the 14th century, to describe substances that could evaporate or disperse into the air swiftly, as if “flying away.”

By the 17th century, volatility had broadened in meaning beyond physical substances to characterize anything prone to quick changes, instability, or unpredictability. This broadened usage made volatility suitable for describing financial markets, emotions, or behaviors that are unpredictable or subject to sudden shifts. Thus, volatility evolved to capture both physical transformation (as in chemistry) and metaphorical instability or unpredictability (as in financial or emotional contexts).