I will take that with just a 'pinch of salt'..

Perhaps I might throw a pinch of salt over my shoulder too.

.

It's funny that so many idioms are shared all over the world.
Russia for instance.
льёт как из ведра. It's raining cats and dogs.
Вот где собака зарыта. Det är där skon klämmer.

Kiss my a***. :-p

Cheers.

Thanks to Judas Iscariot, spilled salt is associated with treachery and lies. If you do spill salt, a pinch thrown over your left shoulder comes from the legend that the devil is always standing behind you, and throwing salt in his eye distracts him from causing trouble.

Also in the Middle ages salt was a valuable commodity in the days without fridges, and the only way to preserve meat was to pickle it in salt. Spilling any was considered wasting a valuable resource, so you needed to redeem yourself.

Roman soldiers where paid with salt.
The word salary originates from that.

A funny arabic idiom:)

على عيني وراسي (‘ala ‘aini wa raasi) — On my head and my eyes.

This is a hugely popular saying in the Arab world, so if you ask an Arab friend for a favor don’t be surprised when they start talking about putting things on their heads and eyes. This means that they will absolutely do what you asked.

It's funny that so many idioms are shared all over the world..
....

It's not that strange if we consider that continentally for at least 10,000 years we have been building centres of connection (cities, towns, villages) and trading and migrating between.

I suspect that idioms only survive travel where the environment allows.

'Raining cats and dogs' would not survive as an idiom if transported to an area that had neither cats or dogs...

The idea or meaning however may well survive.

"Wise old owl".

In europe the idea is that an owl allways keeps one eye open - so is aware and therefore wise.

In other places however "Ulu" (Owl) is seen as stupid for keeping one eye closed.

I don't know. I just keep my lucky horse shoe close.

.

I just keep my lucky horse shoe close

Make sure it's in the upright position so all the luck doesn't drain out.

---

The mind is a weird and mysterious place

...

Make sure it's in the upright position so all the luck doesn't drain out.

Oops ;/

Don't forget your 4 leaf clover begorrah bejabers.

At least, get it right :-)

Aain't seen ya in a coon's age.....
Origin unknown.

---

"Freedom is just Chaos, with better lighting." Alan Dean Foster

"Wise old owl".
In europe the idea is that an owl allways keeps one eye open - so is aware and therefore wise.

Yes.
I guess we many more idioms like that here.
Quick as a weasel.
Cunning as a fox.
Chicken like a hare.
Dumb as a donkey.

Dumber than dog sxxt. Usually referring to bimbos.

---

"Like a Swede at Poltava" remains a simile for "totally helpless" in Russian idiom:)

Aain't seen ya in a coon's age.....
Origin unknown.

At one time it was thought raccoons had a really long lifespan.

---

Finns det hjärterum så finns det stjärterum (If there’s room in heart there’s room for the arse) (Swedish)
Meaning: Everybody can fit in here)

"Butter wouldn't melt in her mouth"

I've never really understood this phrase. I often hear it used to describe someone who insincerely sings the the praises of others and then throws them under the bus, but I would think butter would melt pretty quickly in a mouth like that.

---

The mind is a weird and mysterious place

Gordon - it is meant to refer to somebody that is so cold and hard hearted that even butter wouldn't melt in their mouths. As of course it would in a normal person.

But a cold and hard hearted person makes me think the tongue is wagging hot, which melts the butter.

---

The mind is a weird and mysterious place

Not necessarily. Cold and hard hearted persons normally say NO then shut up. Typical other phrase is "Hard hearted Hannah". Tongue waggers or gossipers are quite different.

That makes sense. I just think a phrase like, "butter wouldn't melt in her mouth" is easy to say about someone you don't like. It rolls off the tongue, so to speak. ;~)'

---

The mind is a weird and mysterious place