'high-paying' originates from the combination of 'high' and 'pay,' where 'high' meant 'great in amount or degree' and 'pay' meant 'to give money for work or services.'

'high-paying' evolved from the Middle English word 'payen,' which meant 'to give money,' combined with 'high,' which has retained its meaning over time.

Initially, it meant 'giving a large amount of money,' and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.