salt junk

American  

noun

Nautical Slang.

1. salted beef or pork.

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Etymology

Origin of salt junk

First recorded in 1785–95

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

salt junk

"We can't live on salt junk and hard bread without any water, sir."

From Down the Rhine Young America in Germany by Optic, Oliver

Their seamen, to earn a little salt junk and flinty biscuits, must spread themselves like vagabonds over the face of the earth, and enter the service of any nation.

From Sea Power in its Relations to the War of 1812 Volume 1 by Mahan, A. T. (Alfred Thayer)

Wot you say is—that it’s morally imposs’ble for a crew sich as us to travel over two thousand miles of ocean on three casks o’ biscuit and a barrel o’ salt junk.

From The Red Eric by Ballantyne, R. M. (Robert Michael)

I have just finished my dinner of salt junk and potatoes.

From The Continental Monthly, Vol. 5, No. 5, May, 1864 Devoted To Literature And National Policy by Various

In this the shark shows excellent taste and judgment, for the "salt junk" served out to seafarers is by no means a succulent or dainty dish.

From Harper's Round Table, October 29, 1895 by Various