One thing that has always fascinated me is the origin of certain sayings and phrases. I mean how many people know the reasons behind, "It cost an arm and a leg"? It all makes perfect sense once this is explained.
It seems that before photography was invented the only visual likenesses of family members available was through portrait painting. Clearly, the more of the person that was seen, the more expensive the painting. So, those who could afford it had their arms, hands, legs and feet visible in the picture. Those portraits were infinitely more expensive than just portraying someone's head and shoulders. Hence the saying, "It cost an arm and a leg."
Another observation from this is that when looking around galleries and stately homes you are more likely to see a man with arms and legs visible than with women. I suppose that was a sign of the times!
Watch out for more origins of commonly used phrases or feel free to contact me with your own and I will post them here.
It seems that before photography was invented the only visual likenesses of family members available was through portrait painting. Clearly, the more of the person that was seen, the more expensive the painting. So, those who could afford it had their arms, hands, legs and feet visible in the picture. Those portraits were infinitely more expensive than just portraying someone's head and shoulders. Hence the saying, "It cost an arm and a leg."
Another observation from this is that when looking around galleries and stately homes you are more likely to see a man with arms and legs visible than with women. I suppose that was a sign of the times!
Watch out for more origins of commonly used phrases or feel free to contact me with your own and I will post them here.