attic salt

noun

1. dry, delicate wit.

Attic salt

noun

1. refined incisive wit

Word History and Origins

Origin of attic salt¹

First recorded in 1750–60

Example Sentences

Triumph swam in my father’s eyes, at the repartee—the Attic salt brought water into them—and so Obadiah heard no more about it.

From Project Gutenberg

His humour was the pure Attic salt.

From Project Gutenberg

I have never thought it good husbandry to water the tender plants of reform with aqua fortis, yet, where so much is to do in the beds, he were a sorry gardener who should wage a whole day's war with an iron scuffle on those ill weeds that make the garden-walks of life unsightly, when a sprinkle of Attic salt will wither them up.

From Project Gutenberg

Let the sprightly epigram never lighten the long periods of your speech nor the Attic salt flavour the roast beef of your conversation.

From Project Gutenberg

If the same had been told by the patrician Palmerston, instead of the plebeian Lincoln, they would not have lacked the "Attic salt," but would have rivaled Dean Swift or Sidney Smith.

From Project Gutenberg