'atticize' originates from Greek, specifically the adjective 'Attikos' (meaning 'of Attica, Athenian'), combined with the verb-forming suffix '-ize' (from Greek '-izein' via Late Latin and Old French).

'Attikos' entered Latin as 'Atticus' and English as 'Attic'; the productive English suffix '-ize' (from Greek '-izein' through Latin/French) was added to form 'atticize' in modern English.

Initially, it meant 'to make Attic in style' (to imitate the style of Athenians or Attic Greek authors); over time it has also been used more generally to mean 'to make writing or speech more concise, elegant, or classical in tone.'