What is the etymology of "apostrophe"?

Search: apostrophe etymology

Why: I was thinking Apostrophile would be a good name for something, but then I changed my mind because people who abuse apostrophes should be tarred and feathered.

Answer: From Greek apo, "from" + strephein, "to turn" = apostrophos prosoidia, "the accent of turning away." This, of course, refers to the rhetorical figure of speech - when a writer or speaker "turns away" from the real world and addresses an absent person, thing, or idea.

• "O Romeo, Romeo! wherefore art thou Romeo?" -Shakespeare
  
• "Roll on thou dark and deep blue ocean" -Lord Byron
• "Death, be not proud, though some have called thee / Mighty and dreadful, for thou art not so" -John Donne
  

Source: Moot Game

The More You Know: Sometimes I pronounce it like "A-po strōf."