In the late 1800's, "Shave and a Haircut" cost "two bits", today it costs $25.00. How much has the cost gone up over the years?

In music, the call "Shave and a Haircut" and the associated response "two bits" is a simple, 7-note musical couplet or riff popularly used at the end of a musical performance. It dates back to the late 1800's. "Two bits" is an archaism in the United States for 25 cents, a quarter. Historically, the Spanish "dollar" was often actually cut into 8 pieces and circulated that way. Each piece had the equivalent value of 12.5 cents and 2 would be a quarter of the dollar.

If the cost today is $25.00, then the increase in cost over the years is $24.75. So from 25 cents to 25 dollars is a 100 fold increase.

More Info: en.wikipedia.org

Test your knowledge

What are your thoughts on this subject?

84 Comments

Larry Jones

If you're paying $25 for a haircut, you're going to the wrong barber!

George Oliver Prince

I agree with Larry Jones

Suzy Whoo

In high school we had a cheer: Two Bits, Four Bits, Six Bits, A Dollar...All for (insert name of School) stand up and Holler.

illonabird

Larry Jones, In my area, if you are paying less than $50-$75 for a haircut without a shave, you are going to a butcher.

pamela h

Trixie Pettman-South, 2 bits = 25 cents

tdelisi

Terry Bremer, The PREMISE of the question is that the original cost was “Two bits”. Your response is illogical.

Terry Bremer

...The test is WRONG. The cost of a hair cut went up 4 bits, or .50 cents. Remember the old childhood chant, "Two-bits, four-bits, six-bits a dollar...etc. That would make the answer, $2.50, not $2.75 as the gives figures the answer to be [So, there]!

Bob Duclos

i pay$28.50 plus $5.00 tip but when i walk out i look 10 years younger it includes beard cut head massage and shampoo and hair dryer finish with hair spray....LOL she has been cutting my hair for the last 43 years