Etymology In regard to the etymology of the phrase Attorney General, Steven Pinker writes that the earliest citation in the Oxford English Dictionary is from 1292: "Tous attorneyz general purrount lever fins et cirrographer" (All general attorneys may levy fines and make legal documents). The phrase was borrowed from Anglo-Norman French when England was ruled by Normans after the conquest of England in the 11th-century. As a variety of French, which was spoken in the law courts, schools, universities and in sections of the gentry and the bourgeoisie, the term relating to government was introduced into English.
etYMoLOgy In reGard To thE etymology Of THe PhrAse AttoRNeY GEneRaL, steven pINkEr WriteS thaT tHe eaRliesT cItation in thE oxfOrd eNglIsH diCTiONarY iS from 1292: "tOus aTtornEYz GenerAL pUrrOuNt lEvER fInS et CIrrograpHeR" (all gEneraL attorNeyS may levy fines anD mAKE LegaL DoCuments). the phRASe wAs BoRRoWed from AngLo-NormAn fReNch When enGlANd was ruled By normaNs afTer The coNquest oF ENGLand iN ThE 11tH-CenTury. as a vaRiEtY oF frEnCH, which was Spoken In the laW cOurtS, scHOols, UnIveRSitIEs and In sectionS Of the gEntrY and the BouRgEOisie, the teRm relatIng to gOvErnMent Was iNtroduCed IntO english.