Idiom-wise, what substance connotes
"permanent and indestructible humanity"?
Etymology, Etymology, and more Etymology
as well as grammar, usage, euphemism, slang, jargon, semantics, linguistics, neologism, idiom, cant, and argot.
The critically-acclaimed board game
MooT
consists of tough questions about the nuances of the English language.
Answer:
salt
As in the salt of
the earth. In the ancient world, salt was considered indestructible,
thus it was used to seal agreements.
Feedback
Dear mootlist people: as language buffs, could you think
of another phrase besides the deplorable phrase "Idiom-wise" Thank you.
[Mootguy: I use
constructions like "idiom-wise" and "etymology-wise" because they use a small
number of characters to convey a lot of information, and this makes it easier
to print MooT questions on game cards. Note: The purpose is to give
players a hint; thus, "idiom-wise" tells you that the answer has to do with
idiom and "etymology-wise" tells you that it has to do with
etymology. Perhaps, if you think of it strictly as a convention of
the board-game MooT, it might seem like less of a
solecism.]
mimimacht at gorge.net
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I thought salt was used to dry the agreement.
hibart at shaw.ca
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To the ancient Hebrews salt symbolized
hospitality, durability and purity. To eat the salt of the King was to owe him
utmost fidelity. Eating bread and salt together sealed an unbreakable
friendship. Jesus said if it lost its taste is was good for nothing.
jcvmc at www1.uniserve.com
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It was also currency. Soldiers were, at one
time, paid in salt.
lejjjar at gmail.com
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Hence the word "salary".
clooneman at yahoo.com
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In India, if you eat someone's salt, you are bound to be loyal to
him or her – a betrayal of the debt of salt is the worst kind.
gayatriugra at rediffmail.com
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Salt and bread are the items displayed during a Doukhobor
wedding ceremony.
stephen.ottridge at nbpcd.com
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