below the salt

below the salt
   socially inferior
   The salt, being then a scarce commodity needed by all, was put in the middle of the dining table in medieval times. The diners were seated in descending social order from the head of the table:
    ... in comparison with other professions — the Church, Education, the Law, the higher levels of journalism, and the BBC — I am afraid it must be admitted that advertising sits rather below the salt. (E. S. Turner, 1952)
   The saline distinction usually only works against you but:
    ... it's a big dinner and you'll be well above the salt. (N. Mitford, 1960)

How not to say what you mean: A dictionary of euphemisms. . 2014.

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  • Below the salt — Salt Salt, n. [AS. sealt; akin to OS. & OFries. salt, D. zout, G. salz, Icel., Sw., & Dan. salt, L. sal, Gr. ?, Russ. sole, Ir. & Gael. salann, W. halen, of unknown origin. Cf. {Sal}, {Salad}, {Salary}, {Saline}, {Sauce}, {Sausage}.] 1. The… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Below the Salt — Studioalbum von Steeleye Span Veröffentlichung 1972 Label Chrysalis Records, Shanachie Records …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Below the Salt — This article is about the album. For the novel by Thomas B. Costain, see Below the Salt (novel) Infobox Album | Name = Below The Salt Type = Album Artist = Steeleye Span Released = 1972 Recorded = 1972 Genre = Electric folk Length = 39:42 Label …   Wikipedia

  • below the salt — Meaning Common or lowly. See also beyond the pale . Origin In mediaeval England nobility sat at a high table and commoners at lower trestle tables. Salt was expensive and only the nobs were provided with it. Hence the peasantry were below the… …   Meaning and origin of phrases

  • sit below the salt — ► sit below the salt be of lower social standing. [ORIGIN: from the former custom of placing a salt cellar in the middle of a dining table with the host at one end.] Main Entry: ↑salt …   English terms dictionary

  • Above the salt — Salt Salt, n. [AS. sealt; akin to OS. & OFries. salt, D. zout, G. salz, Icel., Sw., & Dan. salt, L. sal, Gr. ?, Russ. sole, Ir. & Gael. salann, W. halen, of unknown origin. Cf. {Sal}, {Salad}, {Salary}, {Saline}, {Sauce}, {Sausage}.] 1. The… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • sit below the salt — be of lower social standing. [from the former custom of placing a salt cellar in the middle of a dining table with the host at one end.] → salt …   English new terms dictionary

  • sit below the salt — be of lower social standing or worth Origin: from the former custom of placing a large saltcellar in the middle of a dining table with the host at one end …   Useful english dictionary

  • The Salt Roads — Infobox Book | name = The Salt Roads image caption = designed by Don Puckey, illustrated by Christian Clayton author = Nalo Hopkinson cover artist = Christian Clayton country = Canada language = English genre = folk tale, historical novel… …   Wikipedia

  • Salt — Salt, n. [AS. sealt; akin to OS. & OFries. salt, D. zout, G. salz, Icel., Sw., & Dan. salt, L. sal, Gr. ?, Russ. sole, Ir. & Gael. salann, W. halen, of unknown origin. Cf. {Sal}, {Salad}, {Salary}, {Saline}, {Sauce}, {Sausage}.] 1. The chloride… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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