first [OE] The Old English word first goes back to an ancient root which is shared by Latin primus (as in *prime), and Greek prōtos (as in protein [M19th] and prototype [M16th]). The expression first come, first served goes back to the Middle Ages and is found in the poetry of Geoffrey Chaucer. It was originally used in the context of milling, when a mill would serve the whole community. The first person to bring their corn to the mill would be the first person to have it ground. The first among equals [E18th] is the member of a group that has the highest status. It is a translation of the Latin phrase primus inter pares, which was used as a title by Roman emperors. In Scotland to first-foot [L18th] is to be the first person to cross the threshold of a house in the New Year. Traditionally, it is thought lucky for that person to be a dark-haired man.