'pliable-finned' originates from the combination of 'pliable' and 'finned', where 'pliable' comes from the Latin word 'plicare', meaning 'to fold', and 'finned' refers to having fins.

'Pliable' changed from the Old French word 'pliable', and 'finned' is derived from the Old English word 'finn', eventually forming the modern English word 'pliable-finned'.

Initially, 'pliable' meant 'capable of being folded', and 'finned' referred to having fins. Together, they describe something with flexible fins.