'obloquy' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'obloquium' (from the verb 'obloquor'), where 'ob-' meant 'against' and 'loqui/loquor' meant 'to speak'.

'obloquium' passed into Medieval Latin and Old French forms (e.g. 'obloquie') and then into Middle English as 'obloquy', eventually becoming the modern English word 'obloquy'.

Initially it meant 'speaking against' or 'abusive speech'; over time it came to denote not only the abusive speech but the public disgrace or opprobrium resulting from such speech.