'epigrammatist' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'epigramma', where 'epi-' meant 'on' or 'upon' and 'gramma' meant 'something written or an inscription'.

'epigrammatist' changed from the Greek 'epigramma' into Latin 'epigramma', passed into Middle English as 'epigramme' and 'epigram', and later formed the English agent noun 'epigrammatist' (epigram + -ist).

Initially, 'epigramma' meant 'an inscription' or 'a short written piece', and over time it evolved into the modern English sense of 'a writer of epigrams'—i.e., someone who composes short, witty, or pointed remarks.