India, April 19 -- Salt, oil, fat, grease: Languages tend to draw phrases that relate to effort and industry, from elements that fuel their civilisations. Salt, for instance, gives us a myriad of terms. In Ancient Rome, this seasoning was so expensive and highly valued - mainly as a means of preserving food - that rations of it were handed out to soldiers, civil servants and others in plum positions, in a stipend called a salarium (from the Latin "sal", for salt), and from that we get "salary". "To sit above the salt", meanwhile, meant to sit in a position of distinction. This derives from noble houses where it was customary to place the salt in its large silver container in the top centre of a long dinner table. Guests of honour were seate...