Where does the phrase of come from?

The phrase "of" is a preposition, and its origin is quite old, stemming from the Proto-Indo-European language. Here's a breakdown:

* Proto-Indo-European: The word "of" traces back to the Proto-Indo-European word "apó", which meant "from" or "away from."

* Old English: In Old English, the word "of" evolved from "of" and "af", which were derived from "apó."

* Modern English: Through the centuries, the word "of" has become a versatile preposition used in various ways, including showing possession, origin, material, and more.

So, "of" has a deep history, originating from a word that signified "from" or "away from" in the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Its evolution throughout time shows how language can adapt and change its meaning over centuries.