The story
First used in 1972 by American historian Alfred W. Crosby, in his eponymous work of environmental history, thereafter rapidly being adopted by other historians and journalists.
Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Columbian Exchange
Today it means: The widespread transfer of animals, plants, culture, human populations, communicable diseases, technology and ideas between the American and Afro-Eurasian hemispheres in the 15th and 16th centuries, related to European colonization and trade after Christopher Columbus' 1492 voyage. Full definition →