'inelegant' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'inelegans,' where 'in-' meant 'not' and 'elegans' meant 'tasteful or refined.'

'inelegans' transformed into the French word 'inelegant,' and eventually became the modern English word 'inelegant' through Middle English.

Initially, it meant 'not tasteful or refined,' and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.