Aphorism comes from the Greek word aphorismós, meaning “definition” or “aphorism.” In English, it has been used since the early 16th century to describe a terse saying that embodies a general truth or astute observation. Aphorisms can be found in many different contexts, from literature and philosophy to everyday speech and social media. Today, aphorism remains a commonly used word in English, and is often associated with wisdom, humor, and insight.