You can hear different conversations every day. Often, you can recognize some phrases that have also been used by people for decades. “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 record revealed that the expression “earn your salt” can be traced during the time of the Ancient Romans. The etymology of the phrase could likewise take back prior to the time of 900 BC. During that period, the Roman warriors were paid for their job in salarium. It was an allowance required to buy salt.
It is of note that salt was one of the most valuable spices long ago, and even today and it was also considered good for the health of human. 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. So if you say that he earn his salt, what you mean to say is that he ought to receive that salary that he earns, but it can also mean that he is worthy of the value and admiration he earns.“Earn your salt” has actually a very simple definition. “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.
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. As being said, this phrase is often used to speak of divers, lifeguards, surfers and those who make their living from the water.Indeed, “earn your salt” is a very interesting phrase that is why many people have been researching about its origin. The root of this expression can be traced from the Roman practice but it is of note that the use of salt as a barter material has been practices in several places.
