'antick' (and its plural 'anticks') originates from Italian 'antico', ultimately from Latin 'anticus', where the root 'ante-' meant 'before, formerly' (relating to age or antiquity).

'antick' entered English in the 16th century (Early Modern English) from Italian/French forms such as 'antico', was spelled 'antick' in earlier English, and later the spelling 'antic' became the standard modern form; the plural 'anticks' is an older spelling of modern 'antics'.

Initially related to 'ancient' or 'of old' (via Latin/Italian), the sense shifted in English to denote odd, grotesque, or playful behaviour, and eventually came to mean 'farcical or capering actions' as in modern 'antics'.