'automobilism' originates from French/English formation: specifically the word 'automobile' (French 'automobile'), where Greek 'auto-' meant 'self' and Latin 'mobilis' meant 'movable', plus the suffix '-ism' (from Greek/Latin) indicating 'practice, system, or movement'.

'automobile' entered modern languages in the late 19th century (from French 'automobile', formed from Greek 'auto-' + Latin 'mobilis'); the English noun 'automobilism' developed by adding the suffix '-ism' to refer to the practice or culture of using automobiles.

Initially 'automobile' referred to the vehicle as a 'self-moving' device; over time, the derivative 'automobilism' evolved to mean the practice, use, and cultural movement around automobiles rather than the vehicle itself.