'balladmonger' originates from English, specifically the compound of 'ballad' and 'monger', where 'ballad' originally referred to a 'dancing song' and 'monger' meant 'seller'.

'ballad' changed from Middle English 'ballad' (from Old French 'ballade', from Provençal 'ballada', ultimately traced to Latin 'ballare' meaning 'to dance'), and 'monger' changed from Old English 'mangere' meaning 'seller'; the compound 'balladmonger' was formed in modern English to denote a seller of ballads.

Initially it meant 'a seller or peddler of ballads (literally a peddler of songs)', but over time the term became archaic and is now mainly found in historical or literary contexts.