A person who writes newspaper or magazine columns, providing regular commentary or advice on specific topics.
From column (a regular article in a publication) + -er (agent suffix). Column itself comes from Latin columna meaning 'pillar.' The agent suffix -er was added in the 19th century to create this occupational noun.
Columnists became a distinct profession when newspapers realized readers loved having the same voice speak to them regularly—it's like having a friend who visits your home every day with their opinions. This transformed journalism from just reporting facts into a more personal, opinion-based medium.
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