'jump-scare' originates from English, specifically a compound of the verbs 'jump' and 'scare,' where 'jump' meant 'to startle' and 'scare' meant 'to frighten.'

'jump-scare' developed in late 20th-century English as a coined term describing a film- and later video-game technique; it combines the existing words 'jump' + 'scare' rather than evolving from an older single term.

Initially coined to describe a specific cinematic technique intended to startle viewers, the term's meaning has stayed largely the same but has broadened to cover similar tactics in video games and other media.