'nonteaching' originates from Modern English, specifically the prefix 'non-' + the verb 'teach', where 'non-' meant 'not' and 'teach' ultimately comes from Old English 'tǣcan' meaning 'to show, point out, or instruct'.

'teach' changed from Old English 'tǣcan' to Middle English 'techen' and eventually became the modern English word 'teach'. The prefix 'non-' (from Latin 'non' used in Late and Modern English as a negating element) combined with 'teaching' in Modern English to form the compound 'nonteaching' (also seen hyphenated as 'non-teaching').

Initially, the compound simply meant 'not engaged in teaching' or 'not intended for instruction'; over time this basic negative sense has remained stable and continues to describe roles, materials, or activities outside classroom instruction.