'theory-centric' originates from the combination of 'theory' and the suffix '-centric', where 'theory' refers to a system of ideas intended to explain something, and '-centric' means focused around a particular point.

'theory' comes from the Greek word 'theoria', meaning 'contemplation, speculation', and '-centric' is derived from the Latin 'centrum', meaning 'center'.

Initially, it meant 'focused on theoretical ideas', and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.