'irrelevance' originates from the Latin word 'relevare,' where 're-' meant 'again' and 'levare' meant 'to raise.'

'relevare' transformed into the French word 'relever,' and eventually became the modern English word 'relevant,' with 'irrelevance' forming as its antonym.

Initially, it meant 'not raising or lifting again,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'not being connected or pertinent.'