Gymnastics acually means "exercising naked" I know it sounds crazy but it's true. Back then gymnasts performed naked. And girls did not do gymnastics. In fact they weren't allowed in the arena. Eventually gymnastics changed and girls were allowed to do gymnastics in 1928. Now men did not want them to perform naked so they used leotards. Then they made things for boys to wear. Resource book: Going for the Gold by Leigh Olsen.
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The word 'gymnastics' comes from an ancient Greek word meaning 'undressed'. This is because athletic exercises were performed while wearing less clothing than one would normally wear in public life.
Gym is short for Gymnasium which is from Ancient Greek - gumnasion - "exercise, school".
The word is derived from ancient Greek and was used as exercise to prepare for war. It's derived from the Greek word gymnaze, which literally means "to train naked". (gymnos:naked)
Gymnastics, is actually from the Greek word 'dance naked', because in the ancient Olympic games they use to compete naked, and gymnastics is i guess sometimes dancing!