The basic rule of thumb is: If you spend chips calling and then have to fold because there is a raise, you wasted some chips without seeing any more cards. Make sure you have something which you would realistically continue with if facing another raise when you make an initial call.
The origin of the word "poker," as the title of a game, is not entirely clear. However, it is most likely an adaptation of the French poque, the name of a similar card game. Poque is almost certainly the game that poker evolved from. "Poker," as the name of the card game, was first documented in 1834.