Definitions
Wiktionary
- idiomatic Of high standing or honor.
GNU Webster's 1913
- n. phrases which have survived the old custom, in the houses of people of rank, of placing a large saltcellar near the middle of a long table, the places above which were assigned to the guests of distinction, and those below to dependents, inferiors, and poor relations. See Saltfoot.
Etymologies
- In medieval times, salt (a valuable seasoning) was placed in the middle of a dining table and the lord and his family were seated "above the salt" and other guests or servants below. (Wiktionary)
Examples
“In a few short minutes of loosed subconsciousness, I have sat in the halls of kings, above the salt and below the salt, been fool and jester, man-at-arms, clerk and monk; and I have been ruler above all at the head of the table — temporal power in my own sword arm, in the thickness of my castle walls, and the numbers of my finshing* men; spiritual power likewise mine by token of the fact that cowled priests and fat abbots sat beneath me and swigged my wine and swined my meat.”
Lists
‘above the salt’ hasn't been added to any lists yet.
Tweets
Looking for tweets for above the salt.
Comments
No comments yet...
Log in or sign up to get involved in the conversation. It's quick and easy.