"Salt of the earth"...

[cheeriosatdawn]

A notorious snob used this term to describe a friend of mine the other day, then feigned deep hurt and surprise that I didn't pretend to think it a compliment of sorts.

My take on that isn't due only to the phrase, but to the person who uttered it--and what I know she thinks of the woman she used it in reference to.

The speaker can be hideous. And is an elitist to the tips of her (unpolished because polish is deeply vulgar) fingers.

And I know she thinks the friend of mine she was referencing is her inferior.

But AIBU?

If you used the term "salt of the earth" to describe someone, what would you really be trying to say?

That they are hardworking probably working class ? Btw I'm working class and live in a council house but that would be my interpretation .

I would use to describe someone I thought was warm, decent and kind to the core.

I didn't know there were any other connotations

Id think it was an americanism used to describe workling class people who work very hard but are not well off. Kind of like your 'average joe'. Always makes me think of 'the backbone of America' type propaganda.

The person i know who used to like to be thought of as "salt of the earth" was a huge reverse snob

I thought it was a slightly patronising phrase used by posh people 'he's a bit rough around the edges aka poor but he's alright really'

I don't understand why that would be a snobby thing to say.

As far as I’m aware ‘salt of the earth’ isn’t pejorative.

Down-to-earth, unpretentious and genuine.

Usually used in a ‘rough diamond’ kind of way.

Kind, honest and hard working

But also has class connotations it would be directed at someone who is working class

I don’t think it’s inherently pejorative; quite the opppsite.

But I do see how it could be used in a patronising way.

I used the term in my grandfather’s ecology. I meant it to illustrate how good and kind and hardworking and unpretentious he was.

It’s not a term you would use to describe a member of the artisticracy. It’s a compliment for someone who has lead a simple life. You seem to be suggesting that its a posh way of calling someone a chav, but I don’t see it that way at all.

Context and intent is critical. It could have been a sort of passive aggressive put down or a genuine comment. Who knows? Maybe give the benefit of the doubt on this one?

Eulogy not ecology!

my mum uses this phrase a lot but i've never thought of it as a 'rough diamond' sort of phrase. I always thought it was just more to describe a genuine, kind and down to earth person

It does depend on context. Said in a certain way, it could mean a chippy "University of Life" type.

It is a compliment in my book. Describes someone an organisation or group couldn't do without. Really hard working, just 'gets on with it' sort of a person. No fuss nor frills, just a real asset to the group.
Sounds to me like you are letting your dislike of this person cloud your judgement / twist the words.
'Salt of the earth' is a nice thing to say about someone.

YABU. 'Salt of the earth' means someone who is reliable and kind and generous.

How is it 'snobby' to call someone that?

Id think it was an americanism used to describe workling class people who work very hard but are not well off. Kind of like your 'average joe'. Always makes me think of 'the backbone of America' type propaganda.

It isn't some new-fangled Americanism. The phrase originates from the bible.

I’ve heard “salt of the earth” used perjoratively. Not normally nastily, but definitely meaning that the person is beneath their own social standing. But the vast majority of times I’ve heard it it’s been meant in a very positive way.

warm, decent and kind to the core.
reliable and kind and generous.
a genuine, kind and down to earth person
The phrase originates from the bible.

All this.

I don't think the speaker, snobby as they may be, was "feigning" surprise that you thought they meant it in a negative way.

I've heard it used to describe Kerry Katona.

Salt of the earth is someone who makes the world better. Someone who is crucial to the people in their community, not the obvious powerful people but the simpler folk who keep the wheels running. So it can refer to people of modest means and appearance, to recognise that they are really important despite their modesty.

However, there will always be people who use it as a back handed compliment.

I wouldn't see it as offensive either. Like others, I'd use it to describe a hard working, decent and kind person.

I'd be saying warm hearted and hard working - decent, unpretentious, and kind. A thoroughly decent person, is the connotation of the phrase and I have never heard it used as a pejorative. To do so could only reflect badly on the, er, pejorator, surely?

I've never thought it was anything to do with class. To me It means a kind, genuine, and hardworking person.