Etymology

Etymology

effort (n.)

late 15c., "laborious attempt, strenuous exertion," from Middle French effort, from Old French esforz "force impetuosity, strength, power," verbal noun from esforcier "force out, exert oneself," from Vulgar Latin *exfortiare "to show strength" (source of Italian sfortza), from Latin ex "out" (see ex-)+ Latin fortis "strong" (see fort).

So remember, that effort is literally "a force to be reckoned with."