dozens
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Meaning · English
A verbal game in which two or more people exchange witty insults.
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Examples
[…] black communities, this “snap” or example of the “dozens” (the clever form of insult also known as signifying and dissin') appears: “Your father's so black that when he falls down, people hop over him for fear of falling in.”
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “dozens” mean?
A verbal game in which two or more people exchange witty insults.
Is “dozens” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.