'apophthegmatical' originates from 'Late Latin', specifically the word 'apophthegmaticus', where 'apo-' meant 'away' and the Greek root related to 'phthengesthai' meant 'to speak'.

'apophthegmatical' changed from the Greek word 'apophthēgma' (ἀπόφθηγμα) into Late Latin 'apophthegma' / 'apophthegmaticus', passed through Medieval Latin and Middle English forms, and eventually became the modern English adjective 'apophthegmatical'.

Initially, it referred to a 'pithy saying' or 'maxim', but over time it evolved into an adjective describing language that is concise and aphoristic.