pay the duck is a popular expression in the Portuguese language, used in the sense of "take the blame for something" or bear the consequences of a situation caused by someone else.
The phrase "pay the duck" is considered an idiomatic expression, that is, with a figurative meaning that refers to the act of making a fool of yourself, answering or paying for what you do not owe.
Example: "The boy was watching the fight, but ended up paying the duck, being the only one to be arrested by the police" or "My brothers messed up the house and I paid the duck".
There are two probable reasons to explain the origin of the expression "pay the duck", the first being a reference to a 15th century story and the other to an old Portuguese joke.
According to the story, a peasant was walking down the street with a duck when he was approached by a lady who wanted to buy the animal, but had no money and therefore proposed to pay with "favors sexual".
After some time, the woman claimed that she had already had enough sex to pay for the duck, but the peasant demanded more for the animal. The woman's husband arrives at the house and finds the two arguing and asks the reason for the fight. The wife explains that the peasant wanted more money for the duck she had bought. The husband, to avoid further arguments, offers the peasant money, literally paying for the duck.
Another possible theory for the emergence of this expression came from an old joke practiced in Portugal. A duck was tied to a tree and a participant on horseback had to cut the ropes that held the animal with just a single blow of an ax. If not, the participant would have to pay the duck and offer it to the winner.
Both stories helped to build the meaning of the expression "pay the duck" for everyday life, such as something that pays for and doesn't get any kind of benefit.
In English, the expression "pay the duck" can be translated to be the whipping boy or to carry the can.
Example: "Teachers are tired of being made the whipping boy for the issues that society creates for itself" ("Teachers are tired of paying the price for the problems society creates") or "She’ll have to carry the can again" ("She'll have to pay the duck again").
