'apathetic' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'apatheia,' where 'a-' meant 'without' and 'pathos' meant 'emotion or feeling.'

'apatheia' transformed into the Latin word 'apathia,' and eventually became the modern English word 'apathetic' through Middle English.

Initially, it meant 'without feeling or emotion,' and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.