The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

MEANING BEHIND A CUSTOM

WHEN YOU SAY THAT YOU ARE TAKING IT WITH A GRAIN OF SALT, YOU MEAN
THAT YOU DOUBT IT VERY MUCH. THIS GOES BACK TO THE ROMAN TIMES,
WHEN SALT WAS RARE AND COSTLY AND HAD A HIGH VALUE. THEY FELT THAT
IT HAD MAGICAL POWERS AND THEY ALSO USED IT FOR SEASONING. GENERAL
POMPEII THREW SALT OVER HIS SHOULDER BEFORE GOING INTO BATTLE FOR
GOOD LUCK. THE ROMANS ALSO BELIEVED THAT IF SOME FOOD WAS BAD, THEY
COULD NEUTRALIZE IT BY PUTTING SALT ON IT. THEY WOULD ONLY EAT
ANYTHING QUESTIONABLE IF THEY PUT SALT ON IT FIRST. THIS IS WHY WE
TODAY SAY THAT WE TAKE SOMETHING DOUBTFUL WITH A GRAIN OF SALT.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT HEARD THIS ITEM ON A RADIO BROADCAST ON 102 FM WDOK.
WDOK BROADCASTS IN CLEVELAND, OHIO.

Where learned: OHIO ; CLEVELAND

Date learned: 10-00-1976