Get paid from the neck down

[Auldlangsyne]

What does it mean “to get paid from the neck down”?

A: How is work?
B: The pay is not that good.
A: They are only paying you from the neck down, you see.

Could it be to say that you would be paid only when e.g. paralysed?

 

[Tarheel]

It's not an expression I have ever run across before. I do not know how in the world you could be paid from the neck down. Where did you see/hear that?

 

[Auldlangsyne]

I have been searching the Internet for 20 minutes to find out the meaning. It was some comedy, and it was not said in very serious tones, more of sarcastic small talk, I would say. I can only speculate as to why the response was of this sort. There was no other context, that’s why I have not the slightest idea what A had on his mind, but it was an ironic remark to which B only nodded.

 

[Tarheel]

The only thing I can think of that it might mean is there isn't much thinking required on that job.

 

[Auldlangsyne]

I think it would fit right in. It did cross my mind too; among other explanations, but I was unsure.

 

[Rover_KE]

It seems to mean they are not paying you for your brains, and the rest of your body isn't that great, either.