'lyricist' originates from the word 'lyric,' which comes from the Greek word 'lyrikos,' meaning 'singing to the lyre.'

'lyric' evolved from the Greek 'lyrikos' to the Latin 'lyricus,' and eventually became the modern English word 'lyricist.'

Initially, it referred to someone who sang to the lyre, but now it specifically refers to someone who writes song lyrics.