'milk-and-cream' originates in Modern English as a compound of 'milk' and 'cream'; 'milk' ultimately comes from Old English 'meolc' (Proto-Germanic *meluks) meaning 'milk', and 'cream' comes from Old French 'creme' (from Late Latin 'crema') meaning 'cream'.

'milk' changed from Old English 'meolc' to Middle English 'milk', and 'cream' entered Middle English from Old French 'creme'; the descriptive compound 'milk-and-cream' appeared in Early Modern English usage (notably in complexion and color descriptions) and has been used in both literal and figurative senses.

Initially it referred literally to a mixture of milk and cream; over time it also came to be used figuratively to describe a pale, creamy-white color or a delicate, creamy complexion.