'non-Turkish' originates from English as a compound of the prefix 'non-' and the adjective 'Turkish'. The prefix 'non-' comes from Latin 'non', where 'non' meant 'not', while 'Turkish' is formed from 'Turk' + the adjectival suffix '-ish'.

'Turkish' developed from the word 'Turk' (Middle English), which in turn comes via Old French and Medieval Latin 'Turcus' (meaning 'a Turk'), ultimately referring to the people called 'Turks'. The English prefix 'non-' was borrowed from Latin 'non' and has been used in English to form negative compounds (e.g. 'non-existent'), giving the modern compound 'non-Turkish'.

Initially the elements meant 'not' (for 'non-') and 'of or relating to the Turks' (for 'Turkish'); combined, the compound has long meant 'not Turkish' and has retained that literal negating sense.