'fiber-optic' originates from the combination of 'fiber,' referring to a thread or filament, and 'optic,' relating to sight or vision, derived from the Greek word 'optikos.'

'fiber-optic' evolved from the technological advancements in telecommunications, where 'fiber' and 'optic' were combined to describe the use of light to transmit data.

Initially, it referred to the use of fibers for optical purposes, but over time it has become synonymous with high-speed data transmission technology.