salt of the earth

noun

1. an individual or group considered as representative of the best or noblest elements of society.

salt of the Earth

1. Basic, fundamental goodness; the phrase can be used to describe any simple, good person: “I like Mary: she's reliable, trustworthy, and straightforward; she's the salt of the Earth.” In the Sermon on the Mount , Jesus tells his followers, who are mainly fishermen and other simple people, “Ye are the salt of the Earth.”

Word History and Origins

Origin of salt of the earth¹

1350–1400; Middle English; after Matthew 5:13

Example Sentences

Against O'Donnell's salt-of-the-earth presentation, Coons was aloof.

From The Daily Beast

Leno has staked his claim to the working-class, salt-of-the-earth demographic.

From The Daily Beast

The new salt-of-the earth star of the political reality show, Joe, even showed up after the debate with Katie Couric on CBS News.

From The Daily Beast