'strangely-linked' originates from the combination of 'strange' and 'link,' where 'strange' meant 'unusual' and 'link' meant 'connection.'

'strange' changed from the Old French word 'estrange' and 'link' from the Old Norse word 'hlekkr,' eventually forming the modern English term 'strangely-linked.'

Initially, 'strange' meant 'foreign' or 'unknown,' but over time it evolved to mean 'unusual,' leading to the current meaning of 'strangely-linked' as 'connected in an unusual manner.'