'anecdotically' originates from English, specifically from the word 'anecdotal' with the adverbial suffix '-ly', where 'anecdotal' is derived from 'anecdote', meaning 'a short, amusing or interesting story about a real incident or person'.

'anecdotal' comes from the French word 'anecdotique', which in turn comes from the Greek word 'anekdota', meaning 'unpublished items'. The adverbial form 'anecdotically' was formed in modern English by adding '-ly' to 'anecdotal'.

Initially, it meant 'in a manner relating to anecdotes', and over time it evolved to mean 'based on personal accounts rather than scientific evidence'.