'archdissembler' originates from Greek and Latin/French elements: the prefix 'arch-' (from Greek 'arkhi-' meaning 'chief, principal, or extreme') combined with 'dissembler' (ultimately from Latin 'dissimULO'/'dissimUlare' meaning 'to hide, to disguise').

'dissembler' passed into English via Old French (e.g. 'dessembler'/'dissimuler') and Middle English forms (e.g. 'dissemble'/'dissembler'), and the intensifying prefix 'arch-' was later attached in Early Modern English to produce 'archdissembler' to indicate an outstanding or extreme dissembler.

Initially, related terms simply described someone who hid feelings or intentions; over time 'archdissembler' came to denote an especially skillful or habitual deceiver — an extreme or chief dissembler.