The seconde worde makes the bargaine.
[1597 Bacon Colours of Good & Euill x. 68]
Nay, soft, sir, tow words to a bargaine,
[1598 Mucedorus B2]
There's two words to a bargain ever‥and if love be one, I'm sure money's the other.
[a 1637 Middleton et al. Widow v. i.]
‘Hold, hold, Sir,’ cried Jenkinson, ‘there are two words to that bargain.’
[1766 Goldsmith Vicar of Wakefield II. xii.]
Takes two to make a bargain, and you both done mighty wrong.
[1943 M. Flavin Journey in Dark iv.]
My father was in skins and he had to carry a life-preserver, they got so nasty. Caveat emptor, he used to say, it taking two to make a bargain.
[1973 E. Mcgirr Bardel's Murder iv.]
Related to: buying and selling
Bibliography of major proverb collections and works cited from modern editions is available here.
