“Above the salt” is a medieval expression referring to the seating arrangement at noble tables, with the lord and his family sitting at the head of the table. It symbolized rank and privilege and is still used today to refer to high-ranking individuals.
“Above the salt” is an idiomatic expression. It was created in medieval times based on sitting at a noble table. Salt, which was one of the most precious and valuable spices of the time, was placed approximately halfway down the long banquet table. The lord and his family sat at the head of the table or “above the salt”, while the servants sat at the foot or “under the salt”.
In medieval times, society was rigidly stratified. Lords, aristocracy, independent landowners and other people considered important were given numerous rights and privileges, particularly in public. This included the right to avoid queues at market stalls, the right to eat earlier if the meal was small, and the right to eat “above the salt” at the table. They took these rights very seriously as a sign of rank and power, and guarded them jealously. Lower-class citizens, who made up the vast majority of the population in medieval times, could be punished for usurping any of these privileges.
Sitting down at the table was also a way of honoring distinguished guests of the house. The visitors who deserved to sit upon the salt were probably powerful men or women and their spouses. Religious dignitaries, such as bishops, would likely be seated in such a position, while practitioners, such as monks or priests, would likely be seated under salt, unless the lord or his wife were particularly religious. Visiting lords and their families would be seated near the head of the table, but their retinue of servants would be seated under the salt with the servants.
The term “above the salt” is still in common use in modern times, particularly in England and other parts of Europe. Today, a high-ranking government official or corporate executive could be said to be “above salt.” The term could also be used to indicate a manager’s importance to a new employee or to express club member status to a new initiate. In some companies it is still the custom to honor foreign emissaries and dignitaries by seating them near the head of the table during diplomatic meetings or meals.
This term has also been used in literature over time to refer to important, high-ranking or powerful people. It can also be used in movies or songs. The phrase can be used as a true mark of honor or it could be used sarcastically, to indicate that a person thinks they are special or powerful but they really aren’t.
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