'uninspiring' originates from the prefix 'un-' meaning 'not' and the word 'inspiring', which comes from the Latin 'inspirare', meaning 'to breathe into'.

'inspirare' transformed into the Old French word 'inspirer', and eventually became the modern English word 'inspire', with 'uninspiring' being a negation of this.

Initially, 'inspirare' meant 'to breathe into', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'to fill with the urge or ability to do or feel something'.