The term 'single-topic' is a compound word formed from 'single' and 'topic'. 'Single' originates from the Latin word 'singulus', meaning 'one' or 'alone', and 'topic' comes from the Greek word 'topos', meaning 'place'.

The term 'single-topic' evolved from the combination of 'single' and 'topic' in modern English to describe a focus on one subject.

Initially, 'single' meant 'one' and 'topic' meant 'subject', and together they have consistently meant focusing on one subject.