cum grano salis

English

Etymology

A New Latin coinage, derived from the phrase cum grānō salis (which was not used in Classical Latin).

Adverb

cum grano salis (not comparable)

1. (idiomatic) With a grain of salt; with a bit of common sense and skepticism.
   • 1817, “Observations on Ill Health, Arising from Indigestion”, in The Gentleman's magazine, Volume 87, Part 1, p420:

     This observation, taken cum grano salis, applies more or less to all who are daily exposed to the temptations of a superfluous table.

   • 1861 "Imputation," The Danville quarterly review, Volume 3 (September, 1861), Richard H. Collins, p403

     The claim of Dr. Hodge that our standards sustain the view which he advocates, must be taken cum grano salis.

   • 1998, Joseph Needham, Christoph Harbsmeier, Science and civilisation in China, Cambridge University Press, page 142:

     Perhaps the ascription of grammatical structure to Classical Chinese sentences must even more often be taken cum grano salis, with a pinch of salt.