Salty dog (slang)

Salty Dog is nautical slang for an experienced sailor who has spent much of his life aboard a ship at sea. A salty dog is often given increased credibility by ship mates in matters pertaining to ship-board life and duties. Also known as an "Old salt".

The phrase features prominently in Salty Dog Blues where it refers to the belief that applying salt to valuable hunting dogs would keep ticks away. In this context, a "salty dog" would be someone dear to the speaker's heart.

"Salty dog" also means ornery, as in the T-Bone Walker tune "Ain't Salty No More."

References

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