the dirty dozens

the dirty dozens

An informal spoken-word contest in which one trades insults with someone else about each other and each other's family members, especially their mothers, typically in front of a group. The insults are not meant to be taken seriously. Exclusive to African-American communities. Primarily heard in US. You want to shoot the dirty dozens, son? We'll keep it light, unlike yo' mama, who's pushin' a ton! Playing the dirty dozens is a tradition in this hood.

See also: dirty, dozen

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

the (dirty) dozens

n. a game of trading insulting remarks about relatives. (Originally black.) Freddy is out giving the dozens to Marty.

See also: dirty, dozen

McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.