'inertial' originates from the Latin word 'iners,' where 'in-' meant 'not' and 'ars' meant 'skill or art.'

'iners' transformed into the French word 'inerte,' and eventually became the modern English word 'inertial' through Middle English.

Initially, it meant 'without skill or art,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'relating to inertia.'