P.T. Barnum was a 19th century businessman who made fortunes displaying oddities at his museum. Some were really freaks of nature; others were man-made like the white horse with a horn glued in the middle of his forehead. When asked if it were right not to tell people the bearded lady was actually a man, Barnum might have replied with which of the following?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

"Caveat emptor" is a Latin phrase that means "let the buyer beware." It is often used in reference to situations where the seller has information that the buyer does not, and therefore the buyer needs to take responsibility for ensuring they are making an informed purchase. In the case of the bearded lady, Barnum may have argued that it was up to the buyer to determine whether or not they wanted to see the attraction regardless of the person's actual gender identity.

PT Barnum Was a 19th Century Businessman Who Made Fortunes