An Arm, a Leg, and Two Horses' Asses: Why Great Stories Make Presentations Stick

Have you ever noticed how some presentations stay with you long after they've ended?

I can practically guarantee it’s not because of a chart or a bullet point. And it certainly isn't because someone read twenty slides word-for-word.

What people remember are the stories. The unexpected examples. The quirky facts.

The moments that make them pause and think, "I didn't know that."

In the world of presentations, we call this sticky content—information that captures attention and remains memorable long after the meeting, keynote, or training session is over.

One of the easiest ways to create sticky content is through idioms, proverbs, and the fascinating stories behind them.

Let's look at a few examples.

It Costs an Arm and a Leg

We've all used this expression.

Whether it's concert tickets, a new vehicle, or a home renovation project, when something feels outrageously expensive, we say it costs an arm and a leg.

The phrase became popular during the twentieth century, although nobody can point to a single confirmed origin.

One story suggests portrait painters charged more if they included a subject's arms and legs in the painting. It's a wonderful explanation—except historians haven't found much evidence to support it.

A more likely explanation is that the phrase evolved as a metaphor for an enormous sacrifice. After all, losing an arm or a leg would be a steep price to pay.

The next time you hear someone say it, notice how instantly the image forms in your mind.

That's sticky content at work.

Break a Leg

This may be one of the most confusing ways humans have ever chosen to wish someone good luck.

Imagine preparing for a major presentation.

You're nervous.

You're reviewing your notes.

A colleague smiles and says, "Break a leg."

Not exactly reassuring.

What's fascinating is that nobody knows for certain where the phrase originated.

Some historians believe actors used it because theatre communities were notoriously superstitious. Saying "good luck" was thought to bring bad luck, so performers wished one another the opposite.

Others believe it referred to bending the knee while taking a bow after a successful performance.

Then there's my personal favourite.

One theory suggests audiences became so enthusiastic during performances that they stomped, cheered, and banged chairs against the floor. The applause was supposedly so vigorous that chair legs occasionally broke.

Is it true?

Maybe.

Can anyone prove it?

Not really.

And that uncertainty is part of what makes the story memorable.

Years from now, you may not remember every detail of this article, and there's a good chance you'll remember the image of theatre-goers applauding so enthusiastically that furniture started falling apart.

That's the power of sticky content.

Don't Throw the Baby Out with the Bath Water

If there were an award for the most alarming idiom in the English language, this one would be a strong contender.

The phrase means not to discard something valuable while getting rid of something undesirable.

Its origins trace back to sixteenth-century Germany.

Over time, a colourful story emerged suggesting that entire families shared bathwater, with the baby bathing last. By then, the water was supposedly so murky that someone could accidentally toss out the baby when emptying the tub (eww).

Whether that actually happened is debatable.

What isn't debatable is how memorable the image is.

The lesson sticks because the story sticks.

That's no accident.

Great communicators understand that people remember pictures and stories far more readily than abstract concepts.

The Ham, the Roasting Pan, and Two Horses' Asses

One of my favourite leadership stories isn't technically an idiom at all.

A young woman is preparing a holiday ham. As she learned from her mother, she cuts off the end before placing it in the roasting pan.

One day she asks why.

Her mother says, "That's how Grandma always did it."

Grandma says, "That's how my mother taught me."

Eventually they ask Great-Grandma, who reveals the truth.

She cut off the end because her roasting pan was too small.

For generations, the family followed a practice without understanding the original reason behind it. We often do things simply because that is how it has always been done. It’s important to question the “same ol’ same ol’”.

Then there's the famous story about railroad tracks.

The simplified version suggests that the width of modern railroad tracks can be traced back through wagon ruts, Roman roads, Roman chariots, and ultimately the width needed for two horses standing side by side.

Which leads to the punchline that some modern engineering standards are influenced by the width of "two horses' asses."

Whether every detail is historically accurate isn't really the point. The point is that people remember it.

And more importantly, leaders remember the lesson behind it.

Many organizations continue processes, policies, and traditions simply because "that's how we've always done it."

Strong leaders ask questions and challenge assumptions.

They seek to understand the original purpose before deciding whether something still makes sense today.

That's a lesson that resonates far more effectively when attached to a story than when buried inside a policy manual.

Why Sticky Content Matters

The best communicators aren't necessarily the ones with the most information.

They're the ones who communicate information in ways that people remember.

When you use stories, metaphors, idioms, and relatable examples, you create mental hooks that help ideas stick.

You make your message easier to recall. You make learning more enjoyable. And you increase the likelihood that people will act on what they've heard.

That's true whether you're leading a team meeting, delivering a keynote, facilitating training, presenting to a boardroom or having a one-on-one conversation.

Facts inform.

Stories endure.

Your Next Presentation

As you prepare your next presentation, ask yourself a simple question:

What will people remember three days later?

Will they remember your third bullet point?

Or will they remember the story about the ham, the baby in the bath water, or the audience that may—or may not—have broken chair legs while applauding?

The answer often determines whether your message disappears or sticks.

Want Help Making Your Presentations More Engaging?

Creating memorable presentations isn't about adding more slides. It's about crafting messages that connect, resonate, and stay with your audience long after the presentation ends.

If you're ready to develop stronger presentation skills, create more engaging content, and communicate with greater impact, join the waitlist for our new program, Digital Encore.

Discover practical strategies, proven techniques, and real-world tools that help transform everyday communication and presentations from forgettable to unforgettable.

Because when your message sticks, your influence grows.