Where does the word 'gamer' come from?

Nowadays, a gamer is someone who plays interactive games, such as video games or tabletop games. From casual gamers to hardcore gamers, playing individually or organized in clubs, gamers are everywhere and have hundreds of thousands of games at their disposal.

So when was the word first used? With the advent of Atari and pong? Later?

Actually the word gamer has been used since the late 19th century. At the time, it designated war gamers, people playing strategy war games with metal soldiers.

In the early 20th century, the author H.G. Wells was a very heavy war gamer, and he even wrote two books in an attempt to codify war game rules.

So if you’re a gamer today, it’s quite possible that your great-great-grand father also was one!