The word "list" originated from the Middle English word "liste", meaning "border, edge, or stripe". The noun form of the word refers to a series of words or other items written, printed, or imagined one after the other. The verb form refers to the act of creating or writing down a list of items. Lists are commonly used in everyday life, from grocery lists to to-do lists, and are also used in various fields such as business, academia, and entertainment.