'apothegm' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'apophthēgma' (ἀπόφθεγμα), where the prefix 'apo-' meant 'away' and the root related to 'phthengesthai' meant 'to utter, speak'.

'apophthēgma' passed into Late Latin/Medieval Latin as 'apophthegma' and via Old French/Medieval usage into Middle English (variant 'apophthegm', 'apothegm'), eventually becoming the modern English 'apothegm'.

Initially it denoted a spoken utterance or short saying, and over time it narrowed to mean specifically a concise, instructive saying or pithy maxim.