'elastic-viscous' originates from English as a compound of the adjective 'elastic' and the adjective 'viscous'. 'Elastic' ultimately comes from Greek 'elastikos' (via Latin/French), where the root 'elast-' meant 'to stretch back'; 'viscous' comes from Latin 'viscosus', meaning 'sticky' or 'thick'.

'elastic' entered English via late Latin/Old French from Greek 'elastikos', becoming Middle English 'elastik' and then modern English 'elastic'. 'Viscous' derives from Latin 'viscosus' and entered English through Medieval Latin forms into modern English as 'viscous'. The compound form 'elastic-viscous' is a modern descriptive formation combining the two adjectives.

Initially, 'elastic' meant 'capable of returning to original form after stretching' and 'viscous' meant 'sticky or glutinous' (hence resisting flow). Over time, scientific usage specialized: 'elastic' for spring-like response and 'viscous' for resistance to flow; the compound now denotes materials showing both responses (i.e., viscoelastic behavior).