Any person worth their salt no doubt sports a varied and fascinating array of scars. By the way, what does it mean to be "worth their salt?" Where did that turn of phrase originate? I simply must find out. Come on Google, don't fail me now. . .
Ah, apparently, the phrase "worth your salt" has its origins, as most good phrases do, in Roman times, when salt was an expensive and valued commodity. In fact, Roman soldiers were often partly paid in salt, which I find to be particularly interesting when applied to modern times.
BOSS: Good work, Jameson. You really got that project done in a quality fashion. Here's your paycheck. Have a good weekend.
JAMESON: Thank you, sir. I. . . um. . . er.
BOSS: Something wrong?
JAMESON: Well, it's just my paycheck, sir. About a quarter of it seems to be missing, and what's with all these little packets of salt?
BOSS: New payment policy, Jameson. From now on, a quarter of each paycheck will be paid out in salt. And that's not just any salt, m'boy. That's Morton Salt. Nothing but the best for my employees.
JAMESON: I quit, sir.
But wait, there's more! In Roman times, the payment portion that was made in salt had it's own name, "salarium," which eventually gave rise to the modern term, "salary."
I know what you're thinking at this point. You're thinking, "All of this is very valuable information that will no doubt serve me well in the real world, but what I really want to know is: what about 'scars.'"
Oh, right. Scars. I was talking about scars. Maybe I'll get around to writing about scars later. For now, Olympics-2004.newkerala.com/?action=fullnews&id=40912">some important news.
About virgins. Virgins. Virgins. Virgins. Virgins. Virgins. Virgins. Virgins. Virgins.
Posted by Ryan at November 15, 2004 11:29 AMWhile you're on the subject also, the nine grains of salt that are used to exorcise evil in early Christian mythology derives from bribing the spirits in earlier times (though I believe it comes from English pagan tradition). Another side note is that Lots wife was turned into a pillar of salt for looking back on Sodom and Gomhora as punishment -- the symbolism ties into both salt as a purifying agent as well as salt as a symbol of wealth, thus Lot's wife was destroyed through her inability to leave her wealth behind. Sort of a biblical Midas touch thing.
Anyway.... historical and biblical cohension! who would have thunk it?
Posted by: e. at November 18, 2004 09:48 AMsiwpeeii adeij.
Posted by: Valentine at December 29, 2004 03:00 PM
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