salad days
/ˈsælədˌdeɪz/
noun
Origin
Latin
sal — salt
Overview
Meaning Now
- A period of youthful inexperience, idealism, or innocence, often characterized by exuberance or lack of worldly wisdom.
Literal older meaning
A time when one is 'green' (like a raw salad) and unseasoned.
Language path
Latin → Middle French → English
Earliest form
salad days
Earliest period
1606
Journey
The phrase was coined by William Shakespeare in the play 'Antony and Cleopatra'. Cleopatra uses it to refer to her own youthful, flighty past when she was 'green in judgment'. The metaphor relies on the association of 'green' (raw/unseasoned) with salads.
Evolution
- Classical Latin
sal
“salt”
The foundation for 'salata', meaning salted things.
- Late Latin
salata
“salted (vegetables)”
Direct ancestor of 'salad'.
- 16th-century English
salad
“raw vegetables”
Used figuratively for 'green' or unripe.
- 17th-century English
salad days
“period of youth”
Coinage by Shakespeare.
Connections
Word parts
salad
root
salted dish
days
root
time period
Related across languages
French
salade
salad
Italian
insalata
salad
Spanish
ensalada
salad
Explore next
Related to salad days
External references use DefinedTerm semantics.