Each day, you might have heard some dialogues with phrases that have also been utilized for many years. “Earn your salt” is just one of those popular phrases and idiomatic expressions that you might have heard to people talking with each other especially a conversation between those who are making their living from the water. Is there a question that pops in your mind when you heard this phrase? Have you ever thought about the real meaning or where does this phase come from?Well, if you research on “Earn your Salt”, there are a lot of informative and interesting information that you can obtain. One reference actually suggested that the phrase “earn your salt” began with those ancient Romans and its origin could date back to the early time of 900 BC. In those times, the Roman armies are paid for the labor in salarium which was an allowance in order to buy salt.
It is important to note that salt is one of the most essential spices during the ancient times, and even in these present times, and it was regarded as something valuable for the human health. In that era, the word soldier literally meant ‘the one who is paid in salt.’
Over the years, the term ‘salarium’ was then shortened and it came into the today’s English language as salary. Then, when you say that someone earn his or her salt, you are actually saying that he/she is worthy of the wages that he/she earns, but this can also denote an individual who is worthy of admiration or respect.The meaning of the expression “earn your salt” is actually very simple. “Earn your salt”, or “worth your salt”, when you take it to its etymological meaning means that someone who worth his pay. This phrase is an American English idiom, which had drawn the interest of people, especially those linguists.
Some account also provide a more comprehensive definition of the phrase. According to those accounts, it means that an individual is able to provide his/her capabilities to earn respect from other people. As being said, this phrase is often used to speak of divers, lifeguards, surfers and those who make their living from the water.There is no doubt to say that “earn your salt” is highly interesting expression. For that reason, a lot of people have been looking for the origin of the phrase. If you search more about this American English idiom, you will find that most explanations of this roots lead to the Roman practice, however, it is important to note that the use of this spices as a barter material has been practiced in different empires all over the world.
