The term "op-ed" refers to a piece of writing that expresses the personal opinions of the author, often published in a newspaper or magazine alongside the editorial content. The term is short for "opposite the editorial," meaning these pieces typically appear on the page opposite the editorial section, which contains the publication's official stance on various issues. Op-eds allow writers—who can be anyone from experts to ordinary citizens—to voice their thoughts on current events, policies, and societal issues.
The term "op-ed" originated in the early 1970s and is a combination of "opposite" and "editorial," referring to its placement in newspapers.