“2x4’s were never 2” by 4”
Yes they were. The house I owned in Nashville was 2x4 Oak, built in 1908.
My grandparents home had actual rough cut 2” x 4” lumber and the floors were thick planks up in the attic. They also had lots of oak trim and builtin cabinet and a staircase of oak.
Also the walls were plaster on lath.
Today you get thin walls that flex.