There are a few hypotheses for the origin of the term gibberish. One that holds the highest probability for the root of this term comes from the
Latin transliteration of
Geber.
Jabir bin Hayan, known in
Europe as Geber, was a 7th century
Arabian
alchemist. He wrote his works in strange terminology so that it would not be understood by others.
The reason behind Jabir writing in such a way was to protect him from
heresy which was punishable by death. Gibberish in its modern sense was in use by the 1800s. Gibberish in its modern sense is applied to something of no value and is of
derogatory nature, opposite from its usage of valuable encrypted information.