'text-oriented' originates from the combination of 'text' and 'oriented', where 'text' refers to written or printed words and 'oriented' means directed towards a particular focus.

The term 'text-oriented' evolved from the increasing focus on text-based interfaces in computing, contrasting with graphical user interfaces.

Initially, it referred to any system or approach focused on text, and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.