'antipodes' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'antipodes', where 'anti-' meant 'opposite' and 'pous' (root) meant 'foot'.

'antipodes' passed into Late Latin/Medieval Latin as 'antipodes' and then into Middle English; the modern English plural form 'antipodes' descends from these usages.

Initially, it referred to people ('feet') living on the opposite side of the Earth; over time it broadened to mean opposite points on the globe and, figuratively, complete opposites.