Attic Salt Origin

The spartans were especially famous for their dry understated wit which is now known as laconic humor.

Attic salt origin.

Refined incisive wit meaning pronunciation translations and examples. Salt both in latin and greek was a common term for wit or sparkling thought well expressed. Also referred to as attic wit marianne was known to pepper her conversation with a bit of attic salt so she was quite popular at dinner parties. Icelanders in the sagas and in the anglophone world australians cf.

You must there are over 200 000 words in our free online dictionary but you are looking for one that s only in the merriam webster unabridged dictionary. In classical times salt was a frequent metaphor for wit. ˈætɪk sɑlt ˈætɪk sɔlt ɾɪk. Thus cicero says scipio omnes sale supera bat scipio surpassed all in wit the athenians were noted for their wit and elegant turns of thought and hence attic salt means wit as pointed and delicately expressed as by the athenians.

ˈatɪk sɔːlt ˈatɪk sɒlt general american ipa. More than 250 000 words that aren t in our free dictionary. A calque of latin sāl atticus or sāl atticum. Pronunciation received pronunciation ipa.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to america s largest dictionary with. This can be contrasted with the attic salt or attic wit the refined poignant delicate humour of sparta s chief rival athens various more recent groups also have a reputation for laconic humor. A shrewd cutting or subtle humor or wit. On minor occasions anyone possessing a fluent tongue and knowledge and nerve and a pinch of the attic salt of humour will probably speak best on the spur of the moment but trusting to inspiration may sometimes prove a broken reed and those who have to obey the orders of the toast master when important issues are at stake may be advised to.

Attic salt definition dry delicate wit. Attic salt definition is poignant delicate wit.