The word Parnassian is derived from Mount Parnassus, a mountain in Greece that was considered sacred to the ancient Greeks, particularly associated with Apollo and the Muses. In classical mythology, Mount Parnassus was believed to be the home of the Muses, the goddesses of the arts and inspiration, including poetry, music, and dance. Over time, Parnassian came to refer to things associated with poetry, literature, or artistic achievement, particularly in a refined or elevated sense.

In literary contexts, Parnassian is often used to describe poets or poetry that are highly focused on artistic form, technical mastery, and refinement. The term evokes a sense of intellectual and artistic rigor, often associated with classical or formal styles of writing. It also came to be used to refer to a group of 19th-century French poets known as the Parnassians, who emphasized precision, objectivity, and form over emotional expression or personal sentiment.