I've heard so many expressions, like your two cents, what do they mean? Like saving face? Or half of one, six a dozen of the other?
2006-07-16 05:20:44 · 20 answers · asked by sam 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Other - Society & Culture
Half of one, six dozen of the other? LOL... I'm sorry, but that's so funny! The expression is actually, half a dozen of one, six of the other. What that means is that they're pretty much equal, or that there's no real difference. Get it? Half a dozen of one is the same as six of the other?
They're called ideomatic expressions, or ideoms. They cannot be translated literally, you just have to learn them in the context of the society. Have a good one!
2006-07-16 05:31:58 · answer #1 · answered by Mark 5 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Actually, when the saying was created, two cents was enough to buy a kid more candy than they should eat. If you 'put your two cents in', that means you're adding an opinion, which, while not overly valuable, wasn't worthless, either. Saving face, dunno. That last expression, I think you mean "Six of one, half a dozen of the other", which means exactly what it says: that two things are the same thing, just called by different names.
2006-07-16 12:26:21 · answer #2 · answered by mischugenah 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
People say that to ask your opinion. However when they want your thoughts they will say "a penny for your thoughts."
Saving face is when you have made a mistake and you try to fix it before you get in trouble.
Six of one, or half dozen of another is a way of saying that it is basically the same either way... i.e. Lets go out to eat, do you want Burger King or Burger Street, since both are burger places and you don't have a preference, you would use the "that's six of one or half dozen of another." meaning that's not really a choice.
2006-07-16 12:28:58 · answer #3 · answered by mj_schrader 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, *six of one, half a dozen of the other*, means it's all the same. i.e.: six=1/2 dozen.
I know what the other's mean, but I don't know where they came from.
I was curious, so I looked this up:
Save Face:
Avoid humiliation or embarrassment, preserve dignity, as in Rather than fire him outright, they let him save face by accepting his resignation. The phrase, which uses face in the sense of "outward appearances," is modeled on the antonym lose face. [Late 1800s]
2006-07-16 12:24:53 · answer #4 · answered by oh kate! 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Two cents: your opinion. and what it is worth
Saving face: to maintain one's dignity. normally you don't look so well and are trying to make it up.
half a dozen of one, six of the other: It doesn't matter either way (its always 6)
2006-07-16 12:30:06 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
two cents = offering your opinion
saving face = avoid being totally embarassed
six of one and half a dozen of the other = pretty much the same (6=6) OR sly way of almost invoking SATAN (66) OR some sort of weird sex (cf 69)
2006-07-16 12:27:04 · answer #6 · answered by Nerdly Stud 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have a 1987 and um...let's see, I just emptied out the purse yesterday....Ok, here's a 1994.
There's my 2 cents. I also have a quarter and 3 nickles. Oops, 2 nickles, the other is a dime.
2006-07-16 12:24:11 · answer #7 · answered by Munya Says: DUH! 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just an opinion.
Six to one, half a dozen to the other means "it is the same thing".
2006-07-16 12:24:22 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its "six of one, half a dozen of the other". It means that whichever you pick, you still have the same thing.
2006-07-16 12:23:58 · answer #9 · answered by Blunt Honesty 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
your 2 cents is like you gave your opinion or contributed to a group or something.
ex: "have all of you given your 2 cents about your opinion of pearl harbor project"
2006-07-16 12:25:09 · answer #10 · answered by sheistoofurious! 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋