The compound 'strange-looking' is a relatively modern English formation, combining two elements with deep historical roots. The first element, 'strange', originates from the Latin extraneus, meaning 'external' or 'foreign', which evolved through Old French to signify something unfamiliar and, by extension, unusual. The second element, 'looking', derives from the Old English verb lōcian, meaning 'to see or gaze', with its participial form -ing creating an adjective describing appearance. The logic of the compound is transparent: it literally describes something that has the appearance (looking) of being foreign or unfamiliar (strange), thus conveying its modern meaning of an odd or peculiar visual aspect.

Structure: strange (unknown, foreign) + looking (appearing) - strange: From Old French estrange, from Latin extraneus (external, foreign), functioning as the core adjective meaning 'unfamiliar'. - looking: From Old English lōcian (to see, gaze), with the suffix -ing forming a present participle/adjective, functioning to indicate appearance or semblance.