Owing to the importance of salt as a relish, its Latin name _sal_ came
to be used metaphorically as signifying a savory mental morsel, and,
in a general sense, wit or sarcasm.[264] It was formerly maintained by
some etymologists that this word had a threefold meaning according to
its gender. Thus, when masculine, it has the above signification, but
when feminine it means _the sea_, and only when neuter does it stand for
common salt. The characterization of Greece as “the salt of nations”
is attributed to Livy, and this is probably the origin of the phrase
“Attic salt,” meaning delicate, refined wit. The phrase _cum grano salis_
may signify the grain of common sense with which one should receive a
seemingly exaggerated report. It may also mean moderation, even as salt
is used sparingly as a seasoner of food.
Among the ancients, as with ourselves, _Sol_ and _sal_, the Sun and salt,
were known to be two things essential to the maintenance of life.
Soldiers, officials, and working people were paid either wholly or in
part in salt,[265] which was in such general use for this purpose that
any sum of money paid for labor or service of whatever kind was termed a
_salarium_, or salary, that is, the wherewithal to obtain one’s salt.[266]
Pliny remarked that salt was essential for the complete enjoyment of
life, and in confirmation of this statement he commented on the fact that
the word _sales_ was employed to express the pleasures of the mind, or a
keen appreciation of witty effusions, and, therefore, was associated with
the idea of good fellowship and mirth.[267]
A certain mystic significance has been attributed to the three letters
composing the word “sal.” Thus, the letter S, standing alone, represents
or suggests two circles united together, the sun and the moon. It
typifies, moreover, the union of things divine and mundane, even as salt
partakes of the attributes of each. A, alpha, signifies the beginning of
all things; while L is emblematic of something celestial and glorious.
S and L represent solar and lunar influences respectively, and the
trio of letters stand for an essential substance provided by God for
the benefit of his people. In a curious treatise on salt, originally
published in 1770, the writer launches forth in impassioned style the
most extravagant encomiums upon this substance, which he avers to be
the quintessence of the earth. Salt is here characterized as a Treasure
of Nature, an Essence of Perfection, and the Paragon of Preservatives.
Moreover, whoever possesses salt thereby secures a prime factor of human
happiness among material things.[268]
The French people employ the word “salt” metaphorically in several common
expressions. Thus, in speaking of the lack of piquancy or pointedness
in a dull sermon or address, they say, “There was no salt in that
discourse.” And of the brilliant productions of a favorite author they
remark, “He has sprinkled his writings with salt by handfuls.”[269] In
like manner they use the term _un epigramme salé_ to denote a cutting
sarcasm or raillery. Very apt also is the following definition by an
old English writer:[270] “Salt, a pleasaunt and merrie word that maketh
folks to laugh and sometime pricketh.” The expression “to salt an
invoice” signifies to increase the full market value of each article, and
corresponds to one use of the French verb _saler_, to overcharge, and
hence to “fleece” or “pluck.” Thus the phrase _Il me l’a bien salé_ means
“He has charged me an excessive price.”[271]