'off-putting' originates from the combination of 'off' and 'putting', where 'off' meant 'away' and 'putting' referred to 'placing or setting'.

'off-putting' evolved from the phrase 'put off', which meant to deter or repel, and eventually became the modern English adjective 'off-putting'.

Initially, it meant 'to deter or repel', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'unpleasant or disconcerting'.