What does the term "a dime a dozen mean" Where did it come from?

Question

i think it means; abundant. like "honda civics are a dime a dozen" non-literally speaking 10 (dime) out of 12 cars on the road are honda civics"

Answer 1

This phrase is used similarly to the adjectival use of nickel and dime in the sense that it is used to say something is so cheap you could get a dozen of them for a dime. However, it has a connotation that is similar to the adjectives "worthless", "easily obtained/replaced" or "common"

Answer 2

Easy to obtain because it is of little value.

Can also mean common. It's an idiom of the English language.

So in your example. Honda Civics are common, so they're a dime a dozen. Not literally, but figuratively.

Answer 3

when there is a lot of a product available... for instance... in the days when a dime was actually worth something... a baker made to many donuts, and instead of letting get stale would sell them a dime a dozen... eventually they noticed selling cheap gives them an edge over the competition... so a dime a dozen was a good thing.. as the cost of things rose a dime a dozen became a negative thing... like cheap.. and applied to people...

Answer 4

it means something that's really inexpensive. something that you could buy 12 of for only 10 cents.
it means very common, easy to get.

not 10 out of 12, but something that is 10cents for 12. obviously with honda civics it's just an expression and not literally true.

Answer 5

I think it means they are common because they are cheap. A dozen of whatever can be purchased for one dime.

Answer 6

Worthless, 1800's

Answer 7

Everybody has a cheap one so why would you want what everybody else has. Common and not worth much.

I first heard it from my mother. Where she heard it, I do not know.

Answer 8

Cheap or plentyful!

Answer 9

Rare. Hang on, i'll check the bybull. Everything is in there.