'hypocrisy' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'hypokrisis,' where 'hypo-' meant 'under' and 'krinein' meant 'to judge.'

'hypokrisis' transformed into the Latin word 'hypocrisis,' and eventually became the modern English word 'hypocrisy' through Old French 'ypocrisie.'

Initially, it meant 'acting on a stage,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'pretending to have virtues or beliefs one does not possess.'