'attitudinize' originates from English, specifically from the noun 'attitude' combined with the verb-forming suffix '-ize' (ultimately from Late Latin/French), where the Latin root 'apt-' (as in 'aptus') conveyed the sense 'fit' or 'suitable'.

'attitude' entered English via French 'attitude' (17th century), from Italian 'attitudine' and ultimately Latin 'aptitudo'; the verb-forming suffix '-ize' (from Greek/Latin through French) was later attached to form 'attitudinize' in English (19th century formation), which produced the modern verb 'attitudinize' and its inflected forms like 'attitudinized'.

Initially formed to mean 'to assume or adopt an attitude,' the usage narrowed/shifted to emphasize an affected, posed, or ostentatious attitude—often implying artificiality or performance.