Here's a breakdown:
* Latin: "diarium" (daily allowance)
* Medieval Latin: "diarium" (daily record)
* Early English: "diary" (daily record, journal)
So, while we think of diaries as personal notebooks, the word itself originally referred to a daily allowance or record. It wasn't until later that the concept of a personal daily record evolved and the word "diary" became associated with what we know today.
It's important to note that the practice of keeping personal journals existed long before the word "diary" itself came into use. People throughout history have used various methods to record their thoughts, experiences, and observations.