Lexiconned
Lexiconned is the podcast that unpacks the hidden histories and wild myths behind the words and phrases we use every day. With humor, curiosity, and a touch of irreverence, we separate fact from folklore to tell the stories behind everyday words.
Lexiconned
An Arm, A Leg, and a Price to Pay - Ep. 10
Have you ever walked out of a store feeling like you just made a deal with the devil? That moment when a price tag makes you question whether you really need both of your limbs? In this episode of Lexiconned, we dive into the origins of the phrase ‘cost an arm and a leg.’ From debunking myths about portrait painters to tracing its rise in post-World War II America, we explore how this vivid expression became a go-to way to complain about high prices. Plus, we look at its pop culture influence and why it remains a favorite way to express financial pain. Tune in—no limbs required!
#Inflation
Sources:
- The Long Beach Independent, 1949 (earliest printed reference)
- Oxford English Dictionary (OED) – Etymology and historical usage of “cost an arm and a leg”
- Etymology Online (etymonline.com) – Evolution and linguistic history of the phrase
- Green’s Dictionary of Slang – Historical slang records related to exaggerated cost expressions
- Phrasefinder UK (phrases.org.uk) – Background on similar idioms and potential origin theories
- Chronicling America (Library of Congress) – Newspaper archives for early recorded instances
- Newspapers.com – Additional historical newspaper references to confirm phrase usage
- Google Books – Literature and print records tracking idiomatic expressions over time
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