'dishonesty' originates from Old French, specifically the word 'deshonesté', where 'des-' meant 'lack of' and 'honesté' meant 'honesty'.

'deshonesté' transformed into the Middle English word 'dishonestie', and eventually became the modern English word 'dishonesty'.

Initially, it meant 'lack of honor or integrity', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'untrustworthiness or deceitfulness'.