A closer look
The origin of the phrase 'paying through the nose' is much more literal and gruesome than your crippling student loan payments. Back in the 9th century, Danish Vikings conquered parts of Ireland and instituted an exorbitant poll tax on the locals. If an impoverished Irish peasant couldn't cough up the required ounce of gold, the Vikings would physically slit their nose down the middle as punishment. So the next time you complain about the IRS, just be grateful an audit doesn't involve a Viking battleaxe.
