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Posted by R. Berg on November 16, 2001

In Reply to: Historical derivations of the following phrases posted by R. Chapman on November 16, 2001

: Can anyone tell me the historical derivation of the following phrases?

: To sit below the salt
: To sell someone down the river
: to be on tenderhooks
: to pay on the nail
: to come up to scratch
: to bury the hatchet
: to run the gauntlet
: to pay on the nail

Some of these phrases have been discussed on this forum. For instance, "sell down the river" was mentioned recently; you can find it a few inches lower on the current discussion page. Try typing the most distinctive word from each phrase into the Search box below the list of archives. Then bring back here any questions that still need answers.