'whimsically-directed' originates from English, combining 'whimsically' (from 'whimsical', ultimately from 'whim') and 'directed' (from Latin 'directus' via Middle English), where 'whim' originally referred to a sudden fancy or notion and Latin elements 'di-/dir-' + 'regere' (to lead) underlie 'direct'.

'whimsical' developed from 'whim' (late 16th century) to mean 'given to sudden change of mind'; 'directed' comes from Latin 'directus' (past participle of 'dirigere') through Old French/Middle English forms into Modern English 'direct' and 'directed'; the compound phrase 'whimsically-directed' is a modern English combination of these elements to describe manner of direction.

Initially, 'whim' meant a sudden fancy and 'direct' meant to guide; over time the combined phrase came to mean 'guided by whim' or 'led in an unpredictable, fanciful way', emphasizing manner rather than intention or method.