'medical-skeptical' is a modern compound formed from 'medical' and 'skeptical'. 'medical' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'medicus', where 'medicus' meant 'physician' (from the verb 'mederi' meaning 'to heal'). 'skeptical' originates from Greek via Latin/French, specifically the Greek word 'skeptikos', where 'skeptikos' meant 'thoughtful, inquiring.'

'medical' developed from Latin 'medicus' into Medieval Latin 'medicalis' and then into Middle English as 'medical' meaning 'relating to physicians or medicine'. 'skeptikos' passed into Late Latin and Old French as 'sceptique' and then into English as 'skeptic'/'skeptical', shifting from 'inquirer' to 'doubter'. The compound 'medical-skeptical' is a recent English formation combining these elements to mean doubtful about medicine.

Originally, 'medical' related directly to physicians and healing, and 'skeptical' originally meant 'inquiring' or 'reflective'; over time 'skeptical' came to mean 'doubting'. The compound therefore now conveys 'doubt or distrust toward medicine or medical claims.'