'non-pathogenic' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'pathos,' where 'patho-' meant 'suffering' and '-genic' meant 'producing.'

'pathogenic' changed from the Greek word 'pathogenes' and eventually became the modern English word 'pathogenic.' The prefix 'non-' was added to indicate the absence of disease-causing ability.

Initially, it meant 'producing suffering,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'not capable of causing disease.'