The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

GOING UP SALT RIVER

"HE'S GONE UP SALT RIVER"

Submitter comment: WHILE LIVING IN THE AREA NEAR LOUISVILLE AND FORT KNOX,
KENTUCKY, I HEARD SEVERAL PEOPLE USE THE EXPRESSION,
WHEN REFERRING TO THE DEFEAT OF A CANDIDATE FOR PUBLIC
OFFICE. ONE LADY, A LONGTIME KENTUCKY RESIDENT, TOLD ME
IT REFERRED TO THE FACT THAT YEARS AGO SETTLEMENTS ON THE
SALT RIVER, WHICH EMPTIES INTO THE OHIO (RIVER) SOUTH OF
LOUISVILLE, WERE CONSIDERED ABOUT AS FAR OUT OF THE WAY AS
ONE COULD GO.

Where learned: KENTUCKY ; TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE ; FORT KNOX ; LOUISVILLE

Date learned: NOT GIVEN