'stodginess' originates from English, specifically the adjective 'stodgy' (itself from the noun 'stodge'), where 'stodge' meant 'heavy food' or 'something solid and filling'.

'stodge' (early 19th century English noun meaning 'solid/heavy food') led to the adjective 'stodgy' (meaning 'heavy, solid; not lively'), and the noun 'stodginess' developed by adding the suffix '-ness' to denote the quality.

Initially, the root referred primarily to physical heaviness (especially of food); over time the sense broadened to include metaphorical heaviness—dullness, lack of imagination, or overly conservative style.