You can hear different conversations every day. Often, you can recognize some phrases that have also been used by people for decades. One of the most famous phrases that you might heard in “earn your salt,” most particularly between individuals who make a 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 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 those times, the Roman soldiers were being paid for their work in salarium, an allowance needed 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.’
Over the years, the term ‘salarium’ was then shortened and it came into the today’s English language as salary. Now, when you say that an individual earn his or her salt, it means that he is she deserved what he/she earns, however, this could also mean a person who deserves to be respected or admired.“Earn your salt” can always be defined in simple terms. It can be understood by people. “Earn your salt”, also known as “worth your salt,” when taken to its original meaning, someone who worth his pay. This is actually an American English idiom. It had caught the attention of various individuals, most particularly those who study semantics.
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.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.
