2940: Why Vets Vet Jan 8, 2024

The English verb ‘vet’, meaning “to examine or evaluate thoroughly”, likely traces its origins to ‘veterinarian’. First attested in the 19th century, the term—found first as ‘vetting’—originally referred to the inspection of horses by veterinarians to assess their health, particularly in contexts like buying or selling livestock. Then by the end of the 19th century it was also used to refer to doctors checking people, and eventually of anyone inspecting anything thoroughly.