'goalpost' originates from the combination of 'goal' and 'post', where 'goal' meant 'a point marking the end of a race' and 'post' referred to 'a piece of timber or metal set upright'.

'goalpost' evolved from the Middle English word 'goal' and the Old English word 'post', eventually becoming the modern English word 'goalpost'.

Initially, it referred to the posts marking the end of a race, but over time it evolved into its current meaning of the vertical posts in sports goals.