'cheap at half the price'

[dezire2002]

Where does this confusing phrase come from, and why does it state the obvious?

[FredPuli]

It's simply making fun of the market traders' saying that their goods would be 'cheap at twice the price'. It's even said jokingly by stallholders themselves as part of their sales pitch. Then it's like ' I won't be here today and gone tomorrow! No!.... I'll be here today and gone this afternoon!' and other mock- serious lines to amuse the crowd.

[Quizmonster]

Click http://www.worldwidewords.org/qa/qa-che1.htm and a link will take you to a website with various definitions of this seemingly-puzzling phrase.

[Miss Betty]

I actually thought it was used when a product was reduced to half price. The tag line 'Cheap - at half (the) price' would then make sense.