Similar to gold, salt has been valued by cultures around the world for thousands of years. The English word salary comes from the Latin word for salt. In ancient Rome salt was so valuable that some people received their monthly pay in the form of salt. Until the European middle ages, salt was so valuable that it was called white gold.
The English idiom to “be worth your salt” means to be a valuable or respected person. For example a mechanic or a lawyer worth her salt, would be a person who is very good at her job. This expression comes from ancient Greece, when slaves were bought and sold for salt. Salt was so valuable that in parts of salt poor Africa, it was once traded for gold ounce for ounce at an equal value. Salt was literally worth it’s weight in gold.
Recently the government of Dubai has decided that fat is also worth gold. Obesity is a growing problem in Dubai, where over 50% of people are overweight. Just like in many countries around the world, fast food and a lack of exercise is a growing problem. Dubai has decided on an unusual way to encourage their citizens to be more healthy. They are paying people in gold to lose fat.
For every gram of fat a person loses by August 16th, the government will pay 1 gram of gold. 1 gram of gold is worth much more than a gram of salt these days. It currently is sold for about $42. Not a bad payoff for doing something healthy. Unfortunately, you have to be a citizen of this incredibly wealthy country to join this fitness program. What do you think about trading fat for gold? Would this help you be healthier? Let us know in the comments.
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