In George Washington's days, there were no cameras. One's image was either sculpted or painted. Some paintings of George Washington showed him standing behind a desk with one arm behind his back while others showed both legs and both arms.
Prices charged by painters were not based on how many people were to be painted, but by how many limbs were to be painted. Arms and legs are "limbs;" therefore painting them would cost the buyer more.
Hence the expression, "Okay, but it'll cost you an arm and a leg."
24 comments:
I'll be sharing this with my children today. I didn't know this,
or had never seen it presented this way and it didn't stick.
Cool!
Becky K.
I've often wondered how that expression came about. Interesting!
Hi Sally
Really...is that not interesting. I love to learn things like that. I was just telling one of the lady's at work how much I have learned while blogging and I did a whole shpeal about our blogging.
Now here I've just learned another new thing!
thank you!
have a lovely day and weekend Sally
Judi
Love the lesson and how funny is that cartoon!
I never knew where that saying came from...interesting!
Just dropping in to say, HI!! Hope you are having an awesome day.
Blessings, andrea
Good morning Sally. Good to know. Laughing. Who knew?
Hugs, Jeanne
Wow. I had no idea that's what that meant! Happy Friday Sally ♥
WOW I never knew that! Great lesson for today. Hope you have a wonderful weekend.♥
Okay, so I didn't know that...I am sure that I will be using this information at some point though. Love it when you come up with these things!
Susan
Very interesting Sally. I've wondered where that expression came from.
How interesting, Sally...I learned something today!
Interesting, Sally ~
I often wondered where that expression came from ... We are going to have a pay an "arm and a leg' for gas.. It just keeps going UP-UP-UP.
Hugs,
Betsy
That is fascinating!
Interesting to note that my ggg grandfather and his daughter whose portraits I have are featured in bust shots. They were painted around 1825. He didn't have his arms painted because he was in clergy robes. She, however, had arms and hands painted. SO I guess it cost them a couple of arms (although only one of hers shows), but no legs. ;-)
XO,
Sheila :-)
That is fascinating!
Interesting to note that my ggg grandfather and his daughter whose portraits I have are featured in bust shots. They were painted around 1825. He didn't have his arms painted because he was in clergy robes. She, however, had arms and hands painted. SO I guess it cost them a couple of arms (although only one of hers shows), but no legs. ;-)
XO,
Sheila :-)
I love trivia like this. Thanks for sharing.
take care,
Dawn
That was interesting !!
I had no idea!
Have a great weekend
Diane
Hey Sally... I am finally back to visiting my bloggin buddies... Very informative story and great cartoon!!! Have a super day my friend...
(((HUGS)))
Donna
Now THIS is sooo cool to know!
Thanks, Sally girl.
xo bj
That is interesting! I love info like this. Hope you'll be doing more of these posts!
Sort of ewww gross...
but sadly, true.
LOL LOL
Now, you know what, I just would have laid down good money on a bet your word would have been
SMILING... :)
LOL
This was neat!
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