An Arm & a Leg?

[smudge]

Why do we say "It cost an arm & a leg"?

[Quizmonster]

Click http://www.word-detective.com/032404.html#armandaleg for an answer.

[smudge]

Thank you for your reply Quizzy - interesting reading.

I thought it might have something to do with the saying "I'd give my right arm or leg" but it's nice to see other explanations for it too.

[Clanad]

This gives a reasonto relate the following:  Seems God had created Adam and noticed that his new creation was evidencing signs of lonliness.  God spoke to Adam and told him He could produce, at a cost to Adam, the most beautiful, helpful and supportive creature Adam could possibly imagine. The creatures name would be Woman.  She would be tall, lovely to the extreme, make good coffee, cook, speak only when spoken to, be always ready to make love at an instant and constantly be in a cheerful mood.  Adam asked God, "What will this cost me"?  God replied, "An arm and a leg".  Adam thought for a minute and asked, "What can I get for a rib?"... the rest, of course, is history...

[smudge]

Brilliant Clanad - that's one to forward on - thank you!

[jno]

lol Clanad!

[Grunty]

Really very good Clanad.

Personally, I'd give my right arm to be ambidextrous.