Guestbook

/ˈɡɛstˌbʊk/ noun

Definition

A book or digital record where visitors sign their names and leave comments or messages.

Etymology

A compound of 'guest' (from Old Norse 'gestr' meaning stranger, visitor) and 'book' (from Old English 'bōc'). The concept originated in hotels and grand houses where visitors would record their stays, later adapted for websites and digital spaces.

Kelly Says

Guestbooks represent humanity's desire to mark presence and leave traces of our passing. From medieval inn registers to website comment sections, we've always wanted to say 'I was here' and connect with future visitors who might follow our path.

Related Words

Explore More Words

Get the Word Orb API

Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.