'ninety-two' originates from Old English, specifically the words 'nigontig' (ninety) and 'twa' (two), where 'nigon' meant 'nine' and 'tig' meant 'ten'.

'nigontig twa' transformed into the Middle English word 'nineti-two', and eventually became the modern English word 'ninety-two'.

Initially, it meant 'nine tens and two', and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.