MINER: The word "miner" is from the verb "to mine," which is in turn from the word "mine" meaning the pit or tunnel dug into the earth to extract metals or minerals. The origin of this word is uncertain, although it might come from a Celtic source (compare Welsh
mwyn or Irish
mein meaning "ore, mine").
MINOR: The word "minor" in English comes to us from Latin
minor, meaning "lesser, smaller, junior." Compare the word "minority," meaning the lesser or smaller group. The specific meaning in English of someone who is underage dates to the 16th century.
