Old Salt

Informal term for a veteran seafarer hardened by long service at sea, the “salt” alluding to years of saltwater exposure. The usage is attested in 19th-century print and remains current shipboard slang for an experienced sailor whose seamanship comes from time served rather than certificates. It carries respect for practical knowledge: weather sense, ship handling, and the unwritten customs of the sea. Related forms include “old hand” and “shellback,” the latter marking a sailor who has crossed the equator in the line-crossing ceremony.