[1885–90; zinc + -o- + -graph]This word is first recorded in the period 1885–90. Other words that entered Englishat around the same time include: booster, lineup, reactor, toner, twofer-o- is the typical ending of the first element of compounds of Greek origin (as -i- is, in compounds of Latin origin), used regularly in forming new compounds with elementsof Greek origin and often used in English as a connective irrespective of etymology(Franco-Italian; geography; seriocomic; speedometer); -graph is a combining form meaning “drawn,” “written” (lithograph; monograph). It is specialized in meaning to indicate the instrument rather than the writtenproduct of the instrument (telegraph; phonograph)