'anti-sophistication' originates from the Greek prefix 'anti-' and the word 'sophistication' (from French/Latin roots), where 'anti-' meant 'against' and the root 'soph-' (from Greek 'sophos') meant 'wise' or 'skilled'.

'sophistication' came into English via Latin and French forms derived from Greek roots such as 'sophos' (wise); later the Greek prefix 'anti-' was attached in modern English compounds to form 'anti-sophistication', literally 'against sophistication'.

Initially the components suggested 'against wisdom' or 'against learnedness' at a literal level; over time the compound has come to mean opposition to refinement or polished culture — often as a social or aesthetic stance.