Antonyms for old salt

Grammar : Noun

Spell : sawlt

Phonetic Transcription : sɔlt

rookie

Definition of old salt

Origin : Old English sealt "salt" (n.; also as an adjective, "salty, briny"), from Proto-Germanic *saltom (cf. Old Saxon, Old Norse, Old Frisian, Gothic salt, Dutch zout, German Salz), from PIE *sal- "salt" (cf. Greek hals "salt, sea," Latin sal, Old Church Slavonic soli, Old Irish salann, Welsh halen "salt").
Modern chemistry sense is from 1790. Meaning "experienced sailor" is first attested 1840, in reference to the salinity of the sea. Salt was long regarded as having power to repel spiritual and magical evil. Many metaphoric uses reflect that this was once a rare and important resource, e.g. worth one's salt (1830), salt of the earth (Old English, after Matt. v:13). Belief that spilling salt brings bad luck is attested from 16c. To be above (or below) the salt (1590s) refers to customs of seating at a long table according to rank or honor, and placing a large salt-cellar in the middle of the dining table.
Salt-lick first recorded 1751; salt-marsh is Old English sealtne mersc; salt-shaker is from 1882. Salt-and-pepper "of dark and light color" first recorded 1915. To take something with a grain of salt is from 1640s, from Modern Latin cum grano salis.

As in sailor : noun person who travels by sea
As in seafarer : noun sailor
As in veteran : noun person with much experience; particularly in war
As in sea dog : noun experienced sailor
As in jack : noun sailor

Example sentences :

Three trips were made by the old salt to the cook's gallery.
Extract from : « The Pirate of Panama » by William MacLeod Raine

But the old salt left in charge of the schooner was equal to the occasion.
Extract from : « The Naval History of the United States » by Willis J. Abbot.

The old salt chuckled, and had his eye to the piece immediately.
Extract from : « Left on Labrador » by Charles Asbury Stephens

The old salt removed his tarpaulin, scratched his bald head, and said only two.
Extract from : « The Boat Club » by Oliver Optic

He rang the bells correctly, and handled the wheel like an old salt.
Extract from : « Down South » by Oliver Optic

“Young gentlemen should not be inquisitive,” laughed the old salt.
Extract from : « Up The Baltic » by Oliver Optic

"And the officers too," replied the old salt, hitching up his trousers.
Extract from : « Dikes and Ditches » by Oliver Optic

How far is this cave of yours, you are taking us to, old salt horse?
Extract from : « Frontier Boys on the Coast » by Capt. Wyn Roosevelt

“Why, it were well-nigh enough to make an old salt cry,” saith Ned.
Extract from : « Joyce Morrell's Harvest » by Emily Sarah Holt

It was a bad day for a landsman,—a bad day even for an old salt.
Extract from : « Through Scandinavia to Moscow » by William Seymour Edwards

Synonyms for old salt

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019