'yellow journalism' originates from American English in the late 19th century, specifically linked to the 'Yellow Kid' cartoon and the bitter circulation rivalry between Joseph Pulitzer's New York World and William Randolph Hearst's New York Journal in the 1890s.

'yellow journalism' developed from the term 'yellow press' (itself referencing the 'Yellow Kid' comic strip). The phrase came to describe the sensational newspaper practices of the period and was later fixed as 'yellow journalism' in general usage.

Initially it referred to newspapers that used the 'Yellow Kid' cartoon and lurid headlines as part of circulation wars; over time it evolved to mean any journalism that prioritizes sensationalism and emotional appeal over accuracy.