Back in ye olden day, the tedious job of making lace was hard work. Creating the most beautiful and delicate work required dexterous hands (usually women in that time, let’s be honest), but could only be sold by men as only they had the right to own a business. Women literally worked their fingers to the bone, eventually losing feeling or gaining pain in their hands from carpal tunnel, arthritis, and ligament or nerve damage. During the height of the lace fad, women were not recognized for their work, only the men they worked for, but we’re able to gain a higher-than-average wage for the times. Thus, “the price of lace” became a euphemism for what one pays in hard work and perseverance for a slight gain.
by Eurrikka October 21, 2021