"Go Pound Salt"

Posted by R. Berg on March 08, 2001

In Reply to: "Go Pound Salt" posted by ESC on March 08, 2001

: : : It's driving me crazy! What is the orgin of this phrase? "Go Pound Salt." I've heard it used primarily
: : : in the same way you would say "Get Lost" or "Go play on the Freeway." Were there salt pounders?
: : : Was this an endless task? Please email me if you know... thanks,

: : The longer form is "go pound salt up your ass" which sounds decidely unpleasant. Why salt? Why "pound"? I haven't a clue.

: Because "pounding" (rather than gently packing) would add to the pain of salt insertion. Like pouring salt on someone's wounds only more so.

My husband, who obviously hangs out with ruffians when he isn't painting still lifes or reading the New Yorker, has heard "Go pound sand" as well as this one.