The Off Topic Topic

[Josquius]

So the reason I'm so unlucky is laying down all those slug defences?

[mongers]

If I recall correctly, inadvertently spilling salt was indeed considered an ill omen in Roman times, but I don't recall reading anything about throwing salt over one's shoulder.

Thanks, interesting, maybe something like Brewers might have something to say on the matter?

[crazy canuck]

In an age when salt was hard to acquire, I don't think they were tossing it away after an accidental spill.

[mongers]

In an age when salt was hard to acquire, I don't think they were tossing it away after an accidental spill.

Well I looked in my Brewer's and it mentions the Romans and goes onto explain the throwing over the shoulder, but doesn't say the Romans originated that and it has no reference for either point.

I looked on the wiki for 'spilling salt' and it too mentions the Romans regarded it as bad luck, but doesn't mention them throwing it.

And amusingly the reference for this, the first one in the wiki, is to the previous 19th edition of 'Brewer's Phrase and Fable'. I was looking at my 20th edition.

So I don't think I'll get any further with this enquiry.