Money for old Rope

[auldsacs]

What is the derivation of this saying?

[andy hughes]

It comes from the days of rope making by hand, when raw flax was purchased and twinned into rope. Some unscupulous makers would unpick existing ropes, and re-wind them into lengths which they would sell as new. This meant obtaining money for no outlay, literally 'money for old rope' which has passed into langauge to describe someone seen as obtaining money for little or no effort.

[D-R]

It's also been claimed that conmen from way back used to offer items for sale. When an agreement was made they'd switch bags and hand over a bag containing...old rope. The trick is still in use today. If you're ever offered a camera (or similar item) in a box by someone on the street, they're likely to swap the box if you agree to buy and you'll find it containing a bag of sugar...you have been warned!