'non-spiritual' originates from the prefix 'non-' meaning 'not' and the word 'spiritual' from Latin 'spiritualis', where 'spiritus' meant 'breath' or 'soul'.

'spiritualis' transformed into the Old French word 'spirituel', and eventually became the modern English word 'spiritual'. The prefix 'non-' was added to form 'non-spiritual'.

Initially, 'spiritual' meant 'pertaining to the spirit', and 'non-spiritual' has consistently meant 'not pertaining to the spirit'.