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Scratch my back

A

Astonian

gone but not forgotten
in hard times of peoples lives
they would help some-one out if they could. especialy if they had nomoney
and a favour to do them some good if a tasked was needed to be done
so in kind one would do one a favour , in return
hence the old saying in brum at least
I,LL SCRATCH YOUR BACK ,AND YOU SCRATCH MINE, WAS A TERM USED
FOR DOING THEM A JOB RATHER THAN PAYMENT ;;
BEST WISHES ASTONIAN ;;;
 
That saying is still widely used today isn't it Alan. I wonder if it came from the animal world where monkeys take it in turn to scratch one another. Jean.
 
I just love someone to scratch my back for pleasure, but if you've got a few bob
 
Jean
When I met my friend (in my avatar) I was told that the animals were not actually scratching, but mutually grooming and looking for salt , and that it was a method of showing affection .
Mke
 
When my family were young I had a deal with a neighbour - I serviced his van/car and turf cutting machines and in exchange he laid my slabs and lawn. He also helped supply and fit fencing panels. Nothing changes.
 
I have always thought that the Italian equivalent to this English idiom is delightfully simple and descriptive, "Una mano lava l'altra"; which means "One hand washes the other". db84124
 
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