salt of the earth

== English == === Etymology === Calque of Ancient Greek τὸ ἅλας τῆς γῆς (tò hálas tês gês) in the Book of Matthew, chapter 5, verse 13. === Pronunciation === === Noun === salt of the earth (idiomatic) A person or group of people considered to represent the most decent and admirable parts of humanity. Antonym: scum of the earth ==== Usage notes ==== Not to be confused with, and very different in meaning from, salt the earth. ==== Related terms ==== down-to-earth, earthy ==== Translations ==== === See also === worth one's salt === References === “the salt of the earth”, in Merriam-Webster.com Online Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster, 1996–present. “salt of the earth”, in Dictionary.com Unabridged, Dictionary.com, LLC, 1995–present. “salt of the earth”, in Collins English Dictionary, 2011–present. “(the) salt of the earth” under “salt, n.1.”, in OED Online ⁠, Oxford: Oxford University Press, launched 2000.