'amatol' originates from a combination of 'ammonium' and 'toluene,' where 'ammonium' refers to the ammonium nitrate component and 'toluene' refers to the TNT component.

'amatol' was developed in the early 20th century as a cost-effective explosive alternative to pure TNT.

Initially, it meant 'a mixture of ammonium nitrate and TNT for explosives,' and this meaning has remained consistent in modern usage.