'non-liturgist' originates from Modern English formation, combining the negative prefix 'non-' (from Latin 'non' meaning 'not', via Old English usage) with 'liturgist', which derives from Greek 'leitourgia' via ecclesiastical Latin 'liturgy'.

'liturgist' changed from Greek 'leitourgos' (person performing public service) into Late Latin/Medieval Latin 'liturgia' (public service, especially religious service), then into Middle/Modern English 'liturgy' and the agent noun 'liturgist'; the negative prefix 'non-' was later attached in Modern English to form 'non-liturgist'.

Initially related to 'public service' or 'work for the people' (Greek 'leitourgia'), the term shifted to mean specifically 'worship service' and then to designating those who perform or study such rites; 'non-liturgist' therefore came to mean 'not a liturgy specialist' or 'one who does not practice or design liturgy'.