salty
UK: ˈsɔːlti | US: ˈsɒlti
adj. containing or tasting of salt
adj. (informal) irritated, resentful, or sarcastic
adj. (slang) experienced or skilled, especially in a challenging situation
The word "salty" originates from Old English sealt, meaning "salt," combined with the adjectival suffix -y, denoting "characterized by" or "full of." Over time, its meaning expanded metaphorically: from describing literal saltiness to expressing emotional bitterness (early 20th century) and later, in slang, to describe someone toughened by experience (e.g., "salty veteran"). The progression reflects how sensory attributes often evolve into abstract traits.
The soup was too salty for my taste.
She got salty when her joke was misunderstood.
After years in the industry, he’s a salty old journalist who knows every trick.
The chips were perfectly salty and crispy.
His salty remarks made the conversation uncomfortable.