Anybody know what the expression "Take it with a grain of salt" came from, and what exactly the expression is referring to? I've used it for my whole life, but I have no clue what it means. I've always taken it to mean "Don't take this really seriously." Perhaps a reference to medicine. Salt is a disinfectant, after all. Take something with a piece of undercooked meat to prevent a stomach virus? Just a thought.
(Edit) If that doesn't make sense to anybody, it made sense to me when I typed it.
maybe something to do with food that is too sweet? salt would make it less overly sweet, and that might have morphed to the present meaning.
http://answers.google.com/answers/threadview?id=176207
This has a few explainations.
Thanks Osevens.