'overcriticism' originates from Modern English, specifically formed by the prefix 'over-' (from Old English 'ofer') meaning 'excessive' or 'above' and the noun 'criticism' (from Old French 'critique' via Latin 'criticus', ultimately from Greek 'kritikos', from 'krinein' meaning 'to judge').

'overcriticism' developed by combining the productive English prefix 'over-' with the established noun 'criticism'. 'Criticism' entered English through Old French 'critique' and Middle English 'criticism', derived from Latin and Greek roots meaning 'to separate, judge', and the compound form 'over-' + 'criticism' produced the modern term.

Initially, words in the 'crit-' family meant 'to judge or separate'; 'criticism' came to mean 'the act of evaluating or judging (often negatively)'. Over time, the compound 'overcriticism' acquired the specific sense 'excessive or unduly harsh criticism'.