'apery' originates from French, specifically the word 'aperie', where the root 'aper-' meant 'to ape, to imitate' (related to the French verb 'aperer').

'apery' changed from the Middle French word 'aperie' and was borrowed into English in the early modern period as 'apery', eventually becoming the modern English word 'apery'.

Initially it meant 'the action of aping or imitating (like an ape)', but over time it evolved into its current sense of 'imitation or mocking mimicry', often with a negative connotation.