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

[ruthyrubie1029]

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

@BesottedTurnip

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

This is how I’d see it - ie someone like Princess Anne might be described as the salt of the earth and she’s hardly working class! Not that I’m saying you’re like Princess Anne OP

@Thespidersweb

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

She’s not taking offence though because something being intended in a complimentary fashion doesn’t mean it is actually a compliment.

Bonny is a nice way of saying fat around here. It’s one of those words with regional variations for meanings.

It's a nice compliment. I'd like to be 'salt of the earth'.

Yeah Bonny definitely means fat. Spirited means your kid is a right pain. There are lots of code words in the English language!

Never occurred to me that bonny could mean fat.
I have never used it in that was. It means sweet / pretty / adorable

Bonny is a nice way of saying fat around here

Wow really, I always assumed it was a happy and pretty child

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'

I have to say I've heard it used like this too. Not always though!

Actually I just checked in the dictionary and Bonny means attractive or beautiful.
its a shame ppl seem to be putting their own incorrect spin on words and taking offence where there is none.

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'

Yeah, that's my understanding of it...like describing people as being rough but hard working, traditional values sort of thing.

Maybe people of all classes use it to express surprise that people of different classes can also be hardworking and decent!

A compliment.
Not to be confused with “down to earth” which is where a lot of class based comments are coming from I think.
It generally means honest and decent, and unselfish. Originally from the Bible, possibly used to describe Christians I think (not so sure in what context).

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'

^ This. I've only ever heard it used in that context

Seconded over here

I would be asking in what way. To me, it means 'bit of a rough diamond'.

Given the mixed opinions of say you can't reliably be sure how it's meant but i doubt anyone who ses iit in a backhanded light would actually use the phrase.

It’s a compliment, it’s origins are from the king James bible. It refers to a humble, good, honest, genuine person. However, I would definitely say it’s more appropriate for a working class person. It’s not something you would say about a middle class person, a demographic not really celebrated for their ‘salt of the earthness’

Patronising, very much de haut en bas.

I’d also take it a back handed compliment - a bit rough around the edges but with a heart of gold.

Princess Anne might be described as the salt of the earth

No she really couldn’t

So if someone called a MC person 'salt of the earth' they would be offended to be mistaken for a WC person?

Bonny is one of those words that does have regional variations, you can’t say ‘it means / it doesn’t mean.’ It definitely means fat here though. ‘You’re a right bonny one, you’ll need to go on a diet in January won’t you?’ Usually said by someone who is salt of the earth

Patronising for me too, but clearly it’s just one of those words which has a nuanced meaning, depending on where you come from.

It does sound as if it was genuinely meant as a compliment in your case. OP!

"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'

^ This. I've only ever heard it used in that context."

Me too. It means common.

@Tenyearsgone

So if someone called a MC person 'salt of the earth' they would be offended to be mistaken for a WC person?

It would mean they were" common" in the way they come across.

OP is annoyed that her friend thinks she's WC

Back to class again. WTF is it with this please? I just don't get it, but then again I am not from UK either so will need to be educated by my betters I suppose!