The phrase "paying through the nose", where did it originate?

Answer 1

This is the most common explanation, according to the sources below. The phrase is estimated to date back to 9th century AD Europe, and the Europeans' displeasure at having to pay tribute to the Vikings in order to prevent raids.

After suffering through many Viking raids on their villages, the local (accounts differ, but the Irish and English tend to creep up the most) chieftans decided to try buying off the Scandinavians. This had the opposite effect than that desired: instead of keeping the raiders at bay, these payments only encouraged the Vikings to return, lured by easy profits with little danger of a fight. When the locals got wise to this plan, they tried to stop payment, a move their assailants were not particularly happy about. As a warning to those who would consider not paying the tribute, the raiders would cut a large slit in one nostril of the cheiftan, thus encouraging others to "pay, through (example of) the nose."

Answer 2

Possibly it alludes to the Danish nose tax, imposed in Ireland in the 9th century, whereby delinquent taxpayers were punished by having their noses slit. [Second half of 1600s]

Answer 3

Egyptians were prepared for entombment by having their brains pulled through their nasal cavity--thus, the ultimate price, Paying Through the Nose.

Answer 4

it stems from the viking invasions of Ireland, when the vikings leveed a very high tax, punishment for non payment being to have your nose sliced open or sometimes off completely!

Answer 5

think it comes from a betting and shares background when they tap the nose

Answer 6

Here's one suggestion:

http://plateaupress.com.au/wfw/payingth.htm

Answer 7

My guess is it's old enough to have originated in early literature, possibly Cyrano DeBergerac. (Cervantes?)