'anecdotic' originates from French, specifically the word 'anecdotique,' which is derived from 'anecdote,' itself from Greek 'anekdota' meaning 'unpublished items.'

'anecdotique' in French was adopted into English as 'anecdotic,' and eventually became the modern English word 'anecdotic.'

Initially, it meant 'relating to unpublished stories or anecdotes,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'relating to or consisting of anecdotes.'