About

Toz And Other Salty Words are a collection of lived experiences and emotions I have had. The words written are only my truth and are not always correct, even I do not necessarily agree with them all.

Each piece was written in a moment of extreme emotion or passion. They are salty as often they came with tears.

I hope people enjoy them, use them, learn from them and find their own salty words to join with them. Emotions are there to be acknowledged and accepted. Nothing more, nothing less.

Why Toz?

Many believe the word “طز / Toz” to be an insult in Arabic and today it usually is, however, it has a story. Toz is a Turkish word and literally it translates to: Salt.

During the Ottoman Empire, the government put tax on every good except Salt.  When Arab merchants would pass through the gates of cities, their merchandise would be inspected and taxes paid. If the merchant was carrying salt, they would wave their hands saying: “Toz” meaning let me pass, it’s nothing (no tax).  It was often seen as a way of expressing indifference towards something.

I chose Toz for this blog as in reality (and not to sound morbid) but our feelings are often received with indifference by others. I am not saying they don’t matter but, with a sense of twisted dark humour, they are just feelings.  So, just as Toz was tax free, our feelings and emotions are too.  Salty words, whether through sweat, tears or sea water they all should be free and left to run wild whilst simultaneously not causing pain or issue to the next person.