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

'apothegm' changed from the Greek word 'apophthēgma' into Late Latin/Medieval Latin forms (such as 'apophthegma') and was borrowed into Middle English, eventually becoming the modern English word 'apothegm' and its plural 'apothegms'.

Initially, it meant 'a spoken remark or saying', and over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'a concise, pithy, instructive saying or aphorism'.