'screw-up' originates from the verb 'screw,' which comes from Middle French 'escroue,' meaning 'screw or bolt.' The term 'screw-up' evolved in American English to denote a mistake or blunder.

'screw' changed from the Middle French word 'escroue' and eventually became the modern English word 'screw.' The noun form 'screw-up' emerged in the 20th century.

Initially, 'screw' referred to a mechanical device, but over time, 'screw-up' evolved to mean a mistake or blunder.