'apologue' originates from French, specifically the word 'apologue', where the elements 'apo-' and 'logos' (from Greek) conveyed the idea of a 'story' or 'speech'.

'apologue' changed from the Greek word 'ἀπόλογος (apólogos)', passed into Late Latin as 'apologus' and Old French as 'apologue', and eventually became the modern English word 'apologue' (borrowed via French).

Initially, it meant 'a narrative or story (often explanatory)', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'a short allegorical story that conveys a moral lesson.'