the orgin of wisdom tooth

[keannu]

Do you happen to know the origin of "wisdom tooth"? Is it actually related to wisdom? In Korea, we call it "love tooth", whose origin is probably that if you love somebody, you will get one.

gz131)I had my wisdom tooth pulled out.

 

[probus]

I don't know this for certain. I am speculating.

The rearmost four of our 32 adult teeth do not usually erupt until we are young adults, at least eighteen.

So I think the idea of having one's wisdom teeth is that one is old enough to have acquired wisdom or at least the rudiments of wisdom. It means to have begun to be an adult.

 

[keannu]

Thanks a lot! By the way, I've seen much more "wisdom teeth" than "wisdom tooth" when it refers to a singular one. Is it just idiomatic regardless of singluar or plural or am I mistaken?

 

[probus]

I think it is almost always used in the plural. A person who said "wisdom tooth" would very likely be talking to a dentist.