Sage

Sage is the English vocabulary word for either a wise person or a type of spice used for flavoring food. In either case, the English borrowed the word from the French (originating from Latin) around the early 12th century. In terms of the “wise” definition the word Sage comes from the Old French “sabius” from the Latin “sapere” meaning “to have good taste; to be wise”. Today the noun “sage” stands for a person of “profound wisdom” in both the English and French languages. The word was originally used during the Middle Ages in reference to the “Seven Sages of Greece” (i.e., Thales, Solon, Periander, Cleobulus, Chilon, Bias, and Pittacus); seven ancient Greek philosophers hailing back to 6th century B.C. who maintained a philosophical following for centuries thereafter (these men predated and would later influence such great philosophers as Socrates, Plato and Aristotle). Each of the seven sages is attributed a basic tenet of their respective philosophies: Thales: “know thyself”; Solon: “keep everything in moderation”; Periander: “be farsighted with all matters”; Cleobulus: “moderation is best”; Chilon: “do not desire the impossible”; Bias: “most men are bad”; and Pittacus: “know which opportunities to choose”. Today the word “sage” comes in all shapes and sizes usually ascribed to a sober-minded and stoic person of age and experience; a kindly wise old man; or a spiritual teacher. However, “sage” is also the word for a specific herb. From this perspective the English word developed from the Old French “sauge”, from the Latin “salvus” meaning “healthy” (in reference to the herb’s healing qualities and ability to ward off evil spirits). Sage is also a plant symbolic of power and folklore tells us the plant grows best in a household where the wife is dominant. Most people are also familiar with the famous song refrain “parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme” from Simon & Garfunkel’s “Scarborough Fair” – this ditty actually dates back to medieval England (although the refrain was added later because those four herbs mentioned were believed to be part of a witches’ love potion). Usage of Sage as a given name is really quite modern and manly isolated to North America and Australia. It is also a gender-neutral first name and freely given to either sex.