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    Where is the expression "paying through the nose" come from?

    +2  Views: 622 Answers: 4 Posted: 13 years ago

    4 Answers

    Answer:


    In Northern Ireland during the ninth century, the British introduced a harsh poll tax of one ounce of gold per year on all Irish households.  Said tax was known as the "Nose Tax" because if a person didn't  or couldn't pay, he had his nose slit.  This cruel but effective procedure gave rise to the expression "paying through the nose," meaning if unreasonable due payments aren't made, there will be dire consequences.


     


    robertgrist's one subanswer was right on.


     


     

    Ann

    Thats intersting, didnt know that
    michmar118

    Wow!! Learned something new, here. Thank you for that bit of history, Chiangmai! Are you a history major of some sort? Just curious from some of your answers and "vote up"s.
    Chiangmai

    No, michar118, I did not major in history. I studied mostly business subjects and a little bit of psychology.

    Thx for you compliments, mich!

    http://www.word-detective.com/2008/04/11/pay-through-the-nose-spitting-image-not-to-say/

    I don't know because that would hurt.

    The Internal Revenue Department?



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