'stamp-collecting' originates from the English words 'stamp' and 'collecting', where 'stamp' refers to a small piece of paper issued by a postal authority and 'collecting' means gathering items as a hobby.

The term 'stamp-collecting' has remained relatively unchanged since its inception in the 19th century when postage stamps became widely used.

Initially, it meant 'gathering stamps for personal enjoyment', and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.