'baedeker' originates from German, specifically the surname 'Baedeker' (the publisher Karl Baedeker), where the word was originally the proper name of the family and the publishing house.

'baedeker' changed from the proper name 'Baedeker' (used for Karl Baedeker's travel guides) and eventually became the common noun 'baedeker' in English meaning a travel guidebook.

Initially it referred specifically to the publisher or that publisher's guidebooks; over time it evolved into a general term for any travel guidebook or concise handbook.