Friday, October 29, 2021

Take It With A Grain Of Salt

 

Pinch of Salt, oil painting by Tia Petty

This is what my day began with, this simple idiom: Take it with a grain of salt. What does this really mean? Where did the origin of the phrase come from? Was the original meaning different from how we use it now? 


In the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, the meaning states: “a skeptical attitude–used in the phrase take (something) with a grain/pinch of salt."  Also stating that the first known use was in 1647. It does not state the who, what or where it was first used.


Wikipedia states “To take something with a “grain of salt” or “pinch of salt” is an English idiom that suggests to view something, specifically claims that may be misleading or unverified, with skepticism or to not interpret something literally.”


Wikipedia further suggests the phrase origin was in C. Plinii Second Naturalis Historiae, Tomus Primus 1669 book referring a grain of salt being one of the ingredients to an antidote for poison. But because it was of Latin origin, both ‘salt’ and ‘wit’ derives from the same word, sal. Therefore it could also translate as ‘with a grain of wit’ or simply, be cautious.


In a book, called Celtic Folklore by John Rhys, dated MDCCCCI (1901) page 292, says that if one is carrying a fish, that  they ought to “put a pinch of salt in the fish’s mouth before setting out, for the Manx fairies cannot stand salt or baptism. So the children that have been baptized are, as in Wales, less liable to be kidnapped by these elves than those that have not.”


This got me thinking about the Bible and how salt is sprinkled through out. As I set my eyes on a warm glowing Himalayan salt lamp, immediately thought of pillar of salt. This is not ‘a pinch of salt’ but am now a little disconcerted about that pillar of salt lamp sitting next to me now. Moving on…


Mentioned several times in the Bible is meat needing to be salted when making an offer to the Lord, such as Leviticus 2:13 and Ezekiel 43:24. Could pinch of salt be referencing that?


There is also the idea about taking a pinch of salt with food makes the food easier to swallow in folk remedies. Could it be it is referring to Job 6:6 “Can that which is unsavory be eaten without salt? Or is there any taste in the white of an egg?” A pinch of salt really does make eggs taste heavenly.


Or is it more superstitious in nature? Something that all superstitious people do is sprinkle some salt over the shoulder. Why do we do this? It is believed that spilling salt brings about the Devil, but can be nullified if you throw a pinch of salt over your left shoulder using your right hand. Foolish, but guilty as charged–I do this almost every day. 


Or perhaps, a grain of salt could be referring to money. Salary also derives from the Latin term sal, meaning salt, which in this case was indicative of a Roman soldier’s wage in order to purchase salt. In that regard, take it with ‘a pinch of salt’ would mean ‘do not invest too much into it’.


On this note, there is a book called A to Z (e)Book of Dreams indicates that dreaming of salt is a symbol of wealth, truth, and longevity; but if you are salting meat, it signifies debt.


We all know that salt cures. In the book Healing With Whole Foods it states “Salt has the most “grounding,” descending activity of any substance used as food. It can greatly influence all the rest of food preparation. In the Ayurvedic tradition, the active quality of salt was emphasized as markedly strengthening one’s energy—to the point of hostility if overused.” So perhaps this means ‘pinch of salt’.


What do you think? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

 

If you are interested in my original oil paintings, please visit my art gallery or, for available works, my eBay shop.

Sunday, October 17, 2021

Little Bits of Fall

 

Little Bits of Fall by Anawanitia. Original oil painting depicting an autumn scene
Little Bits of Fall by Tia Petty

This is the first oil painting completed in more than two months. I was doing other art, which I'll share with you all at a later post. The pumpkin was a gift, and such a beautiful orange, it screamed 'paint me!' 



A couple of years ago, I found this lovely little paint box on eBay. It was made by R. Abbey from England. He made these little boxes for his wife, and eventually made it for the surrounding art shops. Funny, it ended up in a Colorado art shop, and has been used ever since.

Also different, is the discovery of how amazing shadow boxes are. It is really helpful in focusing and setting the stage for art. After all these years of painting, it's one of those things you find out many decades later.

Please visit my eBay shop for Little Bits of Fall and other paintings. The link is in the menu bar.