The English “subscription” comes from the Latin subscriptio, “signature” (as in signing for or to receive something), replacing the earlier “abonnement,” which English borrowed from French and which ultimately derives from the Italian abbonnamento, “reimbursement.” The Italian term was also adopted in Germany (Abonnement) By the end of the 17th century, the newspaper subscription was already the usual mode of obtaining periodical publications in the German-speaking world (Periodical press). In all other countries, particularly France, England, and Italy, individ…