'ironic' originates from the Greek word 'eirōnikós,' where 'eirōneía' meant 'dissimulation or feigned ignorance.'

'eirōnikós' transformed into the Latin word 'ironicus,' and eventually became the modern English word 'ironic' through Old French 'ironique.'

Initially, it meant 'feigned ignorance,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'using words to convey the opposite of their literal meaning.'