'hysteric' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'hysterikos', where 'hystera' meant 'womb'.

'hysteric' changed from Late Latin 'hystericus' and French 'hystérique' and eventually became the modern English word 'hysteric'.

Initially, it meant 'of the womb' or 'relating to the uterus', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'experiencing or causing extreme emotion (hysteria)'.