'apercu' originates from French, specifically the past participle 'aperçu' of the verb 'apercevoir', where 'aper-' is a variant of Latin 'ad-' (to/toward) combined with roots from Latin 'percipere' meaning 'to perceive'.

'apercu' entered English from French in the 18th century, borrowed as the noun 'apercu' (and plural 'apercus'), retaining the sense of a perceived remark or brief perception.

Initially it meant 'that which is perceived' or 'a perception', but over time it evolved into the current sense of 'a brief insight, concise remark, or apt observation.'