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. Have you ever asked yourself about the definition and the etymology of the phrase?When you actually search on “earn your salt”, you can find various informative and wonderful information that you can get. One account suggested that the phrase “earn your salt” has a root on the times of the ancient Romans and the derivation of the phase could date back before the time of 900 BC. During those times, the Roman soldiers were being paid for their work in salarium, an allowance needed 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.’
For various years, the word ‘salarium’ was the shortened. In today’s English Language, it is what people call 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.“Earn your salt” can always be defined in simple terms. It can be understood by people. “Earn your salt” is also recognized as “worth your salt.” When you take its original definition, it means that someone who is worth his pay. This phrase is an American English idiom, which had drawn the interest of people, especially those linguists.
Other references also revealed that this idiomatic expression has the meaning of someone who has proven their skills that they have earned admiration from other people. This English idiom is common used in order to speak of those who are making a live from the water. They are those lifeguards, surfers, swimmers, divers, and others.It is true that “earn your salt” is a fantastic expression, and this is the reason behind those who have been searching for its roots. The origin of this expression will always lead you to the Roman Practice. However, bear in mind that the use of salt as something like a barter material has been practiced all over the world.
