The word "fork" has been used to mean "to divide in branches, go separate ways" as early as the 14th century.

In software engineering, a project fork happens when developers take a copy of source code from one software package and start independent development on it, creating a distinct and separate piece of software. The term often implies not merely a development branch, but also a split in the developer community; as such, it is a form of schism. Grounds for forking are varying user preferences and stagnated or discontinued development of the original software.

Oathfork is also a fork, in the sense that the basis is Oathmark: Battles of the Lost Age. To that, the content of the available sourcebooks as well as house rules have been added, and original rules not liked have been removed; thus making Oathfork a distinct and separate game.