'sophistry' originates from Middle English (from Old French 'sophistrie'), ultimately from Greek 'sophistēs', where 'sophos' meant 'wise'.

'sophistry' changed from Old French 'sophistrie' (Medieval usage meaning the practice of the sophists) into Middle English 'sophistrie' and eventually became the modern English word 'sophistry'.

Initially, it referred more neutrally to the practices or teachings of the 'sophists' (wise or skilled arguers), but over time it developed the current negative sense of 'deceptive or fallacious argument'.