People who travel regularly between their place of residence and work, typically over considerable distances. Those who make routine journeys for employment.
From Latin 'commutare' meaning 'to change completely' or 'exchange', from 'com-' (together) and 'mutare' (to change). Originally referred to the substitution of legal penalties, then to exchanging money, before settling on regular travel in the 1890s.
The word commuter originally had nothing to do with travel - it described wealthy passengers who paid reduced 'commutation' fares on railroads, essentially buying season tickets instead of individual rides. This financial 'exchange' or 'substitution' gave its name to the modern daily migration of workers.
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