salt cellar etymology

Etymology:

The term "salt cellar" is derived from the Old French phrase "salier couvert," meaning "covered salt container." It has evolved over time into:

  • Middle English: saltseler
  • Late Medieval English: saltcellar

Meaning:

A salt cellar is a container used to hold and serve salt at mealtimes. It typically has a small bowl or dish with a lid, handle, or base.

Origin:

The earliest known salt cellars date back to ancient times, when it was common to use natural objects like seashells or animal horns to hold salt. By the Middle Ages, salt cellars had become more elaborate and were often made of precious metals or ceramics.

Salt cellars became particularly important during the Renaissance and Baroque periods, when elaborate table settings were a hallmark of aristocratic dining. They were often used to display the wealth and status of the host.

Today, salt cellars are still widely used, both for their original purpose and as decorative objects.

salt cellar relate terms

  • salt

    Etymology Old English sealt Proto Germanic saltaz Proto Indo European sal salty

  • hali

    Etymology From Turkish halı rug Meaning A woven fabric with thick nap used

  • halide

    Etymology Greek hals salt eidos form Meaning A compound of one or more

  • halieutic

    Etymology The word halieutic is derived from the Ancient Greek word halieutikos whic

  • halite

    Etymology of Halite Origin Greek Meaning Salt stone Meaning and Origin of Halite H

  • halo

    Etymology Halo originates from the Greek word ἅλως halōs meaning threshing flo

  • halogen

    Etymology The word halogen comes from the Greek words hals meaning salt and gene

  • salad

    Etymology The word salad originates from the Old French word salade which in turn co

  • salami

    Etymology French salami Italian salame Medieval Latin salamen Latin sal salt Gree

  • salary

    Etymology The word salary comes from the Latin word salarium which originally refer

  • saline

    Etymology The word saline comes from the Latin word salinus which means salty The

  • salmagundi

    Etymology of Salmagundi The word salmagundi has a complex etymology with roots in se

  • salsa

    Etymology Salsa is a Spanish word derived from the Latin word salsa meaning salty o

  • salsify

    Etymology Middle English salsifye from Old French salsifiche from Medieval Latin

  • salt

    Etymology Old English sealt Proto Germanic saltaz Proto Indo European sal salty

  • salt cellar

    Etymology The term salt cellar is derived from the Old French phrase salier couvert

  • saltpeter

    Etymology The word saltpeter comes from the Middle French salpêtre 12th century

  • sauce

    Etymology of Sauce The word sauce originates from the Old French word sauce which

  • sausage

    Etymology The word sausage comes from the Latin word salsus which means salted T

  • silt

    Etymology The word silt comes from the Middle English word sylt which in turn may d

  • souse

    Etymology The word souse has multiple etymological origins French sausse meaning

  • saline

    Etymology The word saline comes from the Latin word salinus which means salty The

  • salary

    Etymology The word salary comes from the Latin word salarium which originally refer

  • sausage

    Etymology The word sausage comes from the Latin word salsus which means salted T

  • silt

    Etymology The word silt comes from the Middle English word sylt which in turn may d

  • sauce

    Etymology of Sauce The word sauce originates from the Old French word sauce which

  • salsify

    Etymology Middle English salsifye from Old French salsifiche from Medieval Latin

  • alum

    Etymology Latin alumen an alum salt Greek als salt Meaning A colorless

  • cellar

    The term cellar comes from the Latin word cellarium meaning storeroom or storehous

  • theater

    Etymology The word theater originates from the Greek word theatron which is compose