Xerxes
12th May 2001, 23:07
Just wanted to say something about the practice of throwing salt over the shoulder after spilling it- I remember reading that it dates all the way back to the Roman empire.
At that time, salt was an extremely valuable commodity and very expensive. Thus the act of spilling it at the table was a very grave misfortune- possibly brought on by an evil or malicious spirit creature. Throwing it over the shoulder was appeasing the spirit that might cause it again.
As time changed the supertstition later became "appeasing the devil" when everyone stopped being pagan.
Interesting? yes. Useless information, yeah probably :)
At that time, salt was an extremely valuable commodity and very expensive. Thus the act of spilling it at the table was a very grave misfortune- possibly brought on by an evil or malicious spirit creature. Throwing it over the shoulder was appeasing the spirit that might cause it again.
As time changed the supertstition later became "appeasing the devil" when everyone stopped being pagan.
Interesting? yes. Useless information, yeah probably :)