Related word - “sophisticated”.
Now, the World uses this word as a positive. It means, to them, having a lot of worldly knowledge, or the appearance thereof, usually the latter.
Now, the original meaning of the word essentially means “corrupted”.
The funny thing is, from the Christian worldview, both definitions are the same.
Interesting reminder. The new term “PC”, or politically correct, further defines sophisticated as it’s used today.
- sophist
- 1542, earlier sophister (c.1380), from L. sophista, sophistes, from Gk. sophistes, from sophizesthai "to become wise or learned," from sophos "wise, clever," of unknown origin. Gk. sophistes came to mean "one who gives intellectual instruction for pay," and, contrasted with "philosopher," it became a term of contempt. Ancient sophists were famous for their clever, specious arguments.
- philosopher
- O.E. philosophe, from L. philosophus, from Gk. philosophos "philosopher," lit. "lover of wisdom," from philos "loving" + sophos "wise, a sage."
"Pythagoras was the first who called himself philosophos, instead of sophos, 'wise man,' since this latter term was suggestive of immodesty." [Klein]