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
Share your suggestion for words or phrases, thoughts on the episodes, or just engage with us on Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/lexiconnedpodcast/
Popular Podcasts
On Purpose with Jay Shetty
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.
Ridiculous History
History is beautiful, brutal and, often, ridiculous. Join Ben Bowlin and Noel Brown as they dive into some of the weirdest stories from across the span of human civilization in Ridiculous History, a podcast by iHeartRadio.