What does it mean to be ‘Worth your salt’?

You may hear this from time to time and simply shrug it off. But, there is really meaning behind this one. The Roman army were paid a ‘salarium’ monthly. This term eventually became ‘salary’ in the English language. The Latin root word here being ‘sal’ which means salt! So, to ‘be worth your salt’ you had to be doing a good job! 

Now, there are varying accounts of whether or not soldiers were actually paid in salt. We do know that with their monthly ‘salarium’, they were purchasing salt and other seasonings along with their rations. The reason thought to be behind salt being an acceptable payment instead of money is due to its ability to preserve food and humans need to consume salt! 

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