fossil [M16th] Fossils are the petrified remains of ancient or prehistoric creatures that are dug up, and fossil comes from Latin fodere ‘to dig’. It was originally used for a fossilized fish which was found in the earth. In those days before the theory of evolution people believed that it had lived underground too. The use of the word for a person or organization seen as outdated or resistant to change is found from the mid 19th century.