'low-quality' originates from the combination of 'low' and 'quality', where 'low' meant 'not high' and 'quality' referred to 'the standard of something'.

'Low-quality' evolved from the Middle English word 'lowe' and the Latin word 'qualitas', eventually becoming the modern English term 'low-quality'.

Initially, it meant 'of a low standard', and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.