Where does the phrase take it with a pinch of salt come from?

What’s the origin of the phrase ‘Take with a grain of salt’? The idea comes from the fact that food is more easily swallowed if taken with a small amount of salt. Pliny the Elder translated an ancient text, which some have suggested was an antidote to poison, with the words ‘be taken fasting, plus a grain of salt’.

What is pinch of salt?

If you want to get very technical and scientific, a pinch is generally defined as 1/16 teaspoon. In that case, fill it halfway for your 1/16 tsp pinch. In practice, a pinch of a fine ingredient (like salt, pepper, cayenne, etc.) is the amount you can pick up between your thumb and your index finger.

What does it mean to take a pinch?

to get arrested by the police…. a very old term. I was pinched by the cops.

What does taking something with a grain of salt mean?

skeptical attitude
: a skeptical attitude —used in the phrase take (something) with a grain/pinch of salt I take the guidebooks with a grain of salt, preferring to follow my instincts.—

What does the proof is in the pudding mean?

BEN ZIMMER: Well, the proof is in the pudding is a new twist on a very old proverb. The original version is the proof of the pudding is in the eating. And what it meant was that you had to try out food in order to know whether it was good. In Britain, dating back centuries, pudding meant more than a sweet dessert.

What does a pinch of salt look like?

Here’s where things go off the rails: A pinch of salt is supposed to be half of a dash, or 1/16 teaspoon. It depends on the size of your salt cellar; whether you are more of a baker or a savory cook; and whether you use your thumb and pointer finger, or thumb and two fingers, to collect that pinch.

What is Dash salt?

According to kitchen supplies makers, a dash of salt is specifically 1/8 of a teaspoon, while a pinch is exaclty 1/2 a dash (1/16 teaspoon) and a smidgen is half that (1/32 teaspoon).

How do you use a pinch?

Definition of in a pinch : in a bad situation when help is needed I can help out in a pinch if you need a babysitter. In a pinch, you can substitute another ingredient in the recipe.

What does the saying The devil is in the details mean?

“The devil is in the details” is an idiom alluding to a catch or mysterious element hidden in the details: something might seem simple at a first look but will take more time and effort to complete than expected.