[sharpneli]

The word amateur has two different meanings in English.

"1. a person who engages in a pursuit, especially a sport, on an unpaid rather than a professional basis"

"2. a person who is incompetent or inept at a particular activity"

Here we refer to the first definition. The English word amateur comes from French "lover of". Someone who does things just because they like it, not because they get paid to do it.

[Johnythree]

It should be obvious that there is a third meaning..

Amateur is short for "Amateur Radio operator", eg someone who holds an Amateur Radio License.