'distich' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'distichon' (δίστιχον), where 'di-' meant 'two' and 'stichos' meant 'row, line'.

'distich' changed from the Greek word 'distichon' into Late Latin/Medieval Latin 'distichon' and then entered Middle English (via Latin and occasionally Old French) as 'distich', eventually becoming the modern English word 'distich'.

Initially, it meant 'a composition of two lines' and over time has retained this core meaning as 'a couplet or two-line stanza' in modern usage.