However, it is said that the term 'makurakotoba' itself was used to express nearly the same meaning as a proverb in the Heian period ("Kokinshujuchu" by Kensho), and that the oldest usages in the same meaning as the present day are found in the materials after the medieval period, such as "古今憧蒙抄" by Kanera ICHIJO, "日本書紀抄" by Nobukata KIYOHARA, and so on.
ただし、「枕詞」という用語自体は平安時代には諺とほぼおなじ意味で使用されており（顕昭『古今集序注』）、現在の意味で使用されるのは一条兼良『古今憧蒙抄』、清原宣賢『日本書紀抄』など、中世以降の資料に見えるものが早いとされる。