'paralytic' originates from Late Latin 'paralyticus', specifically from Greek 'paralytikos', where the prefix 'para-' meant 'beside' and the root related to 'luo' (to loosen) meaning (loosening, disabling).

'paralytic' changed from Greek 'paralytikos' (παραλυτικός) into Late Latin 'paralyticus' and then entered Middle English/early Modern English as 'paralytic', keeping its relation to 'paralysis'.

Initially, it meant 'relating to paralysis or causing loss of movement'; over time it also came to mean 'a person affected by paralysis' and later developed informal slang senses such as 'extremely drunk'.