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Sit below the salt

To be of a low social rank.

This phrase, first seen in print around 1597, comes from European dining halls where the host sat at the head of the dining table, and his guests were seated in order of importance along the sides. The salt cellar was placed in the middle of a dining table, which caused another division. Those seated below this point were considered the lowest ranking people at the table. Funnily enough, few references are made to sitting above the salt!

Example: When Jane was an MP, she was an honoured guest but these days she sits below the salt with the rest of us.

Source: The Star Online

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Q: What is the origin of the expression sit below the salt?
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