phrase
General Slang
playing the dozens
PLAY-ing thuh DUZ-uhnz · phrase · slang
Trading escalating insults, often about mothers
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Definitions
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A ritual game of exchanging witty insults, classically 'yo mama' jokes, to see who cracks first.
“They were playing the dozens on the stoop till somebody got tight.”
by community
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playing the dozens In A Sentence
They were playing the dozens on the stoop till somebody got tight.
Origin & Usage
African American verbal tradition long practiced in NYC; a foundational influence on rap battling.
People Also Ask
What does 'playing the dozens' mean?
It means trading escalating, witty insults with someone — often 'yo mama' jokes — as a game to see who loses their cool first.
Where does 'playing the dozens' come from?
It's a longstanding African American verbal tradition practiced in NYC and beyond, and it's considered a foundational influence on rap battling.
Is playing the dozens serious?
It's meant as competitive fun and wordplay, though it can turn heated if someone gets offended — the phrase 'somebody got tight' captures that.
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