'short-winded' originates from English, specifically the compound of 'short' and 'winded', where 'short' meant 'brief' and 'winded' meant 'out of breath' (from the participle of the verb 'wind' in the sense of causing to be out of breath).

'winded' developed as the past participle/adjectival use of the verb 'wind' (Old English 'windan' meaning 'to twist, wind'), later taking on the sense 'to cause to be out of breath' in Middle and Early Modern English; 'short-winded' formed as a modern compound combining that sense with 'short'.

Initially it primarily described physical breathlessness after exertion; over time the compound also acquired a figurative sense meaning 'brief' or 'not long-winded' in speech or writing.