A deadline is the latest time or date by which something must be finished.
The word comes from the English words “dead” and “line.” It was first used in the 19th century to describe a line around a prison that prisoners would be shot for crossing. Over time, it shifted to mean any final limit that cannot be passed.
Deadlines used to be literally deadly—crossing the line could get you killed. Now the word just kills your free time instead. Remembering its harsh origin might explain why deadlines still feel so serious and stressful.
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