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Where does the saying six of one half a dozen of the other come from?
Wiki User
∙ 13y ago
"Means: the same amount. Six in one hand, half dozen (6) in the other hand. I.E Equal amount."
As the question asks where does the phrase come from the provider of this answer misses the mark twice.
I don't actually know the origin but it certainly isn't recent.
The phrase is used as a title of a story in Harper's New Monthly Magazine's Dec. 1883 to May 1884 issue, page 765.
It can also be found in the book "The Comic Latin Grammar", 2nd ed., copyright 1840.
Nouns have six cases in each number [singular and plural], (that is, six of one and half a dozen of the other) but can only be put in one of them at a time.
In this case the author really is using it to mean six of one and six of another. I suspect that his lack of quotes around it implies that it is in fairly common usage.
Wiki User
∙ 13y ago
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What does the saying six of one and a half dozen of the other mean?
6/18
What is the meaning of six of one half a dozen of the other?
"Half a dozen = 6. So "six" and "half a dozen" are two ways of saying the same thing. The expression means that there is no important difference between the alternatives, or the differences offset one another so the net result is the same. For example, I say to my husband, "Should I take Highway 101 or Highway 280?" and he replies, "It's six of one and a half dozen of the other." He means that I'll get there in about the same amount of time whether I take one road or the other." The phrase, "Six to one, half a dozen to the other." is a UK variation of the phrase. This person's answer says much but conveys little. "Six of one, half a dozen of the other" is a reply to a question that solicits an evaluation between two choices. The person giving the reply is effectively saying "there is no difference between these two choices".
What does '1 of the 6 of the other half dozen?
"Six of one, a half dozen of the other" means no matter how you say it, the answer is the same.
Six to one half a dozen the other?
Since a half dozen is six, it means the each side or direction is equal to the other.
How many is half of half of a dozen?
Reason: A dozen is twelve. Half of a dozen is six. Half of a Half of a dozen is three.
What does the saying six of one and a half dozen of the other mean?
6/18
What is the meaning of six of one half a dozen of the other?
"Half a dozen = 6. So "six" and "half a dozen" are two ways of saying the same thing. The expression means that there is no important difference between the alternatives, or the differences offset one another so the net result is the same. For example, I say to my husband, "Should I take Highway 101 or Highway 280?" and he replies, "It's six of one and a half dozen of the other." He means that I'll get there in about the same amount of time whether I take one road or the other." The phrase, "Six to one, half a dozen to the other." is a UK variation of the phrase. This person's answer says much but conveys little. "Six of one, half a dozen of the other" is a reply to a question that solicits an evaluation between two choices. The person giving the reply is effectively saying "there is no difference between these two choices".
Would you like a ps3 or playstation 3?
6 of one half a dozen of the other, or it is the same thing with two ways of saying it
What is the difference between six dozen dozen and half a dozen dozen?
half a dozen is 6, so half a dozen dozen is 6 dozen, but the first thing, six dozen dozen has is 6x12x12or 6x144, so it is way more than 6x12.. In other words Six dozen dozen is 864 and half a dozen dozen is 72
What does '1 of the 6 of the other half dozen?
"Six of one, a half dozen of the other" means no matter how you say it, the answer is the same.
What are things that come in half a dozen?
eggs roses
What are Things that come in?
A carton of half a dozen eggs
Six to one half a dozen the other?
Since a half dozen is six, it means the each side or direction is equal to the other.
How many is half of half of a dozen?
Reason: A dozen is twelve. Half of a dozen is six. Half of a Half of a dozen is three.
What are things that come in 6?
A carton of half a dozen eggs
What does 6 of 1 half dozen another mean?
Basically, when someone says "Six of one, half dozen of another" they are saying that the two things they are comparing are the the same thing. They use this because: 1 Dozen = 12 1/2 dozen = 6 6 = 6 So, 1 half dozen and 6 are the same thing.
What are other words that mean six?
half a dozen
