The aim of this paper is to present the methodology used to analyse state-of-the-art terminology in two fields, computing and economics and finance. First, we outline recent literature on term variation and term formation in terminology. Then, we present our methodology, which combines diachronic analysis with corpus tools for a ‘social’ history of terms based on sociocognitive approaches. Our results suggest that full understanding of the use of terms in context requires an awareness of the origins of the terms, their reception, and the reasons behind their success or failure.
