Friend called me "salt of the earth" - compliment or not?

[ruthyrubie1029]

I always thought it was patronising but said in a nice way??

This is interesting! we live in n ireland if that makes a diff, I am a southerner Brit tho and often called posh!! So the responses are v interesting! :)

I consider it high praise.
Also I read a lot of Jeeves and Wooster and when said it is always in a a complimentary way (Wooster describes his equally posh friends on occasions in this manner to show his appreciation of them).

Used in Ireland a lot, and signifies high respect to the person. True to themselves, helping to others, no notions of grandeur, just a great person all round.

Lovely compliment IMO.

I think it's a compliment. You have a good character, no delusions of grandeur.

I can see why some people mightnt like it though. It coukd be a put down. If you have education and a bit of class and good taste and the money to indulge that good taste, then it could be a passive aggressive dig but still not really an insult

I'm with @yellowmaoampinball , when used about someone posh, it suggests they're actually down to earth, "normal", and probably a hard worker.

Always understood it to mean literally the people we cannot do without - so nurses would be the salt of the earth for instance. Indispensible. Valuable to human community.
Compliment all the way.

Don't forget we get the word salary from salt, when people were paid in salt as it was such a valuable commodity. I'd imagine it derives from the same sources.

@stitchy

To be honest I've always found it deeply patronising, the sort of thing middle class people say about working class people. Essentially 'a bit rough but nice despite it'

Yes in Ireland that is how middle class people use it about working class people but i still think it's a compliment even if it shows the person who gave it is too class conscious.

My mum is the "salt of the earth". She's just so nice, kind and self sacrificing. Think about it salt makes food taste better. The salt of the earth people make life taste better IYSWIM. Very much a complement OP, unless the tone was derogatory.

I have also only ever heard it being used about people who are a bit rough around the edges, working class but decent. Similar to the types who “say it like it is” and “wear their hearts on their sleeves”.

Yes, it’s one of those phrases MC people use about the proles. Well intentioned but patronising.

I'm also in NI and I'd probably mean a very decent person if I did call someone that, it wouldn't mean anything wierd or snide.

It wouldn't be a phrase I've ever heard used much here, calling someone sound would be more likely.

My Dads nickname is ‘Salt’.
I never knew why until I was told it was from ‘Salt of the Earth’ - it actually made me feel really proud because my Dad really would do anything for anyone.

ArcherDog that's exactly how I'd understand it, what a lovely nickname for your dad.

@MadameMinimes

Salt of the earth is a compliment. I’d use it to describe someone who is decent, honest and unpretentious.

I'd use it in this way too, and would take it as a compliment.

I've no idea why being the salt of the earth is good though. Didn't armies used to salt the earth to deny territory to their enemies, making the ground unproductive and causing famine and starvation for anyone who lived there?

I'd take it to mean an uncomplicated person with no airs and graces who says it how it is.

I would read it as ‘rough but nice’ rather than ‘down to earth’ too, but the delivery is the most important thing - if it was said in a nice way I’d take it as a compliment

Working class but won’t pinch the silver.

Ive always heard it as a positive, but with either the “rough round the edges” connotations, or possibly a hint of “boring” - like a warm jumper that fits nicely and goes with absolutely everything, but you wouldn’t wear on a first date.

But, context and delivery are everything! Sounds to me like they meant it as a big compliment, and clearly plenty of people on here would take it as such.

Compliment, but always makes me think of northerners for some reason?! Like, much friendlier than us mean old southerners

It’s bloody patronising I agree - used by MC people about err not middle class people who do helpful stuff without making a fuss.

Here is a compliment. Solid, reliable and honest.

I think your taking offence where it wasn’t intended.

I remember my mother kicking off at a male friend as he said I was ‘Bonny’ she took it to mean I was fat

I think you are an excellent person. In Northern Ireland terms you can make a nice cake or turn out some traybakes when necessary, and not make a song and dance. The opposite of what my mil would call a show off.

I don't think it has "rough " connotations - I think it means someone who is fundametantally decent and no airs nor graces but essentially a really nice person whichever "class" they are from - & I do hate that. If people think it has class connotations - well so be it - but a compliment is a compliment - whoever it is applied to - & I would take it as a compliment.

@MsTSwift

Working class but won’t pinch the silver.

I'm northern and from a military family but went to a private school on a military bursary so have a "posh" accent. People call me salt of the earth a lot. I think because they expect me to be a bit soft but I'm not! I've always taken it as a complement