Where did the word Zit come from and why does it reference a pimple? Is a blackhead a pimple? How many kinds of pimples are there? Where does the word pimple come from?
The OED gives the term “zit” as “origin unknown.” The first cite is from 1966.
“Pimple” has this: [Origin unknown: connexion with L. papula or papilla has been conjectured; but evidence is wanting. Cf. OE. pipliende shingly, affected with herpes, in Sax. Leechd. I. 266.]
Earliest cite is from c 1400.