'ASDIC' originates from English, specifically the name 'Anti-Submarine Detection Investigation Committee', where 'Anti-Submarine' meant 'against submarines' and 'Detection' meant 'finding or locating'.

'ASDIC' began as the name of the committee set up to develop anti-submarine detection methods; the acronym came to be used for the detection apparatus itself and entered naval usage in the early 20th century, with the plural form 'asdics' referring to multiple units.

Initially, it referred to the committee responsible for researching submarine detection; over time it evolved to mean the sonar equipment used to detect submarines.