'balladwise' originates from English, specifically the combination of 'ballad' + suffix '-wise', where 'ballad' ultimately comes from Old French 'ballade'/'balada' (from Late Latin/Vulgar Latin 'ballare' meaning 'to dance' or 'dance-song') and the suffix '-wise' comes from Old English 'wīs' meaning 'manner' or 'way'.

'ballad' entered Middle English from Old French 'ballade'/'balada'; formations combining a noun with the suffix '-wise' (meaning 'in the manner of') developed in English, producing compounds such as 'ballad-wise' which later appear as the solid form 'balladwise'.

Initially it denoted 'in the manner of a ballad' and that core sense has largely remained unchanged, though the term has been relatively rare and chiefly literary.