'skid-prone' is a modern English compound from the words 'skid' and 'prone'. 'skid' originates from Old Norse, specifically the word 'skíð', where 'skíð' meant 'split piece of wood'. 'prone' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'pronus', where 'pronus' meant 'inclining forward'.

'skid' changed from the Old Norse word 'skíð' to Middle English 'skid' meaning a log or plank used for sliding, and later developed the verb sense 'to slip'; 'prone' came from Latin 'pronus' via Old French into Middle English meaning 'inclined' or 'likely'. The compound 'skid-prone' arose in modern English to describe something likely to skid.

Initially, 'skid' meant 'split piece of wood' (and later 'log used for sliding'), and 'prone' meant 'inclining forward'; over time 'skid' gained the sense 'to slip' and 'prone' came to mean 'likely to', so together they now mean 'likely to skid'.