'liturgy' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'leitourgia,' where 'leit-' meant 'public' and 'ergon' meant 'work.'

'leitourgia' transformed into the Late Latin word 'liturgia,' and eventually became the modern English word 'liturgy.'

Initially, it meant 'public service or duty,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'a form of public worship.'