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What does the phrase "dollars to donuts" mean?

Question #66343. Asked by zbeckabee.
Last updated Oct 12 2016.

Related Trivia Topics: Linguistics   Currencies   Vocabulary   Idioms and Proverbs  
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wdwfla
Answer has 27 votes
Currently Best Answer
wdwfla
18 year member
87 replies avatar

Answer has 27 votes.

Currently voted the best answer.
The almost forgotten terms 'dollars-to-buttons' and 'dollars-to-dumplings' appeared in the 1880s, meaning 'almost certain' and usually used in 'I'll bet you dollars-to-buttons/dumplings.'

They were replaced by 1890 with the more popular 'dollars-to-doughnuts' (a 1904 variation, 'dollars-to-cobwebs,' never became very common, perhaps because it didn't alliterate)."

[From "Listening to America" by Stuart Berg Flexner (Simon and Schuster, New York, 1982).]

On the origin:
As to why “dollars to doughnuts,” beyond the alliterative qualities, it was essentially just a way to say you’d bet dollars to something mostly worthless, relative to the dollars, emphasizing how sure you are that you’re correct.

Going back to the 1840s, there was a very similar expression with the same basic meaning “dollars to dimes.” Two other similar expressions also existed in the 1880s “dollars to dumplings” and “dollars to buttons.” A couple decades later, “dollars to cobwebs” also popped up, but none of these had the staying power as “dollars to doughnuts.” In all cases, the latter thing is the worthless item relative to the value of the dollars, but you’re so sure about what you’re saying, you’ll happily bet your dollars to someone else’s doughnuts over the matter.

link http://www.todayifoundout.com/index.php/2015/06/origin-phrase-dollars-donuts/

Response last updated by Terry on Oct 12 2016.
May 30 2006, 8:48 AM
Banty
Answer has 5 votes
Banty

Answer has 5 votes.
If you say that something will happen, dollars to donuts, you mean you are sure it will happen. Dollars to donuts the company is going to fold. I'll bet you dollars to doughnuts she won't come to the party.

Hope you are satisfied with the answer.



May 30 2006, 12:15 PM
MyAlias
Answer has 8 votes
MyAlias

Answer has 8 votes.
One is wagering something of great value against something of relatively no value as an assertion of assuredness concerning their point of belief.

May 30 2006, 1:07 PM
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