The Word Escalate Came From Escalators
The escalator is a feature that almost every large mall has that you won't find in many other kinds of structures. Elevators are frequently used in apartment complexes and offices. The escalator's reach is, however, quite constrained. A large area with lots of people and space is ideal for an escalator. It doesn't require waiting and has no capacity restrictions, unlike an elevator. So it functions well in settings like malls, perhaps even in stadiums and airports. What is the purpose of an escalator? It gets worse! Kind of.
The name alone suggests that it is an escalating mechanism. You may break down words using the way the English language functions. Something with a -or or -er ending is frequently a noun that highlights a verb activity. Running is done. Driven by a driver. Although it's not a strict rule, it's a useful guidance. Additionally, it makes sense in this situation as escalate is a term.
Despite all, escalators are the sole reason the word "escalate" even exists. It is a back formation of the word escalator and dates back to 1922. Simply put, the phrase means to ascend or reach using an escalator. Only recently has corporate speech taken over the phrase, and now you'll hear it used whenever customer service needs to forward your issue to a management. Both connotations were modified from just standing on moving steps, and it is also used to refer to the rising tensions experienced during times of war.
