say

Where does the word "say" come from? It comes from Proto-Germanic sagjaną, passing through Old English before entering English (1500s).

Say’s story begins in Proto-Germanic: sagjaną meant “to say.” The Norse cousin gave 'saga'. By 700s-1000s, the word had taken hold in Old English as secgan. An old 'saw', a saying, comes from the same root. It reached English by 1500s as say. 'says' and 'said' keep an older short vowel. Today, say means to speak words.

1. Stage 1 · Proto-Germanic · ancient sagjaną "to say", the Norse cousin gave 'saga'.
2. Stage 2 · Old English · 700s-1000s secgan "to say", an old 'saw', a saying, comes from the same root.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1500s say "to speak", 'says' and 'said' keep an older short vowel.