'cash-based' originates from the combination of 'cash' and 'based', where 'cash' refers to money in the form of coins or banknotes, and 'based' indicates the foundation or underlying principle.

'cash' comes from the Old French word 'caisse', meaning 'money box', and 'based' is derived from the Old French 'basse', meaning 'foundation'.

Initially, 'cash' referred to physical money, and 'based' indicated a foundation. Together, they evolved to describe systems or operations relying on cash transactions.