"Attic s alt" is an expression that is not so common in everyday speech. Rather, it can be called a book. Looking ahead, we note that it is associated with the name of Mark Tullius Cicero, a famous Roman orator. What do they mean when they want to “sprinkle” such s alt?
Athenian wit
To understand the meaning of the phraseologism "Attic s alt", it would be advisable to first analyze each of its constituent words separately.
Regarding the adjective "Attic", the dictionary says what it means:
- firstly - related to the noun "Attica";
- secondly - refined, refined.
Attica is an ancient Greek word for a coastal country. It is located in the southeast of Central Greece. In ancient times, it was the most centralized area with the main city - Athens, where the administration, the court, the national assembly were located, where all state affairs were decided. The role of Attica both in politics and in culture was great. It was believed that it was there that the best masters of eloquence lived, whichwas then at a great price. They also had a subtle wit.
Another meaning of "s alt"
Everyone is well aware of the substance, which in conversation is called "table s alt", which is sodium chloride. It not only gives taste to food, without it human life is simply impossible. Therefore, the value of s alt is difficult to overestimate.
In this regard, using the word in a figurative sense, they mean the essence, the basis, the most important thing, the quintessence of something, the best part. And also in a figurative sense, this is what makes the sharpness of the story, anecdote, speech, speech in general, their brightness, zest.
Let's go directly to the idiom itself.
Cicero's opinion
It is he who is considered the author of the expression "Attic s alt". Based on the above, one can understand that its meaning is a subtle, elegant joke, mockery, witticism. The ability to use all this in speech, as already noted, was distinguished by the Athenians, the inhabitants of Attica. Cicero, the famous orator, agreed with this opinion.
Like the ancient Greeks, the Romans believed that without wit, speech could not be considered good. In Rome, they said that it must contain cum gratio sails - “grain of s alt” or “s alt of wit.”
In 55 B. C. e. Cicero wrote an essay called "On the Orator". It examined the art of oratory, which was owned by the Greeks from Attica. In particular, it was noted that they have the ability to make listeners laugh where necessary.speaker. It was this high skill that was repeatedly called Attic s alt by Cicero.
