A Dime A Dozen Mean

Meaning:

This phrase is used to describe things that are abundant in quantity and/or very cheap; something that'south easily acquired.

Case: These glass cups might expect expensive, but they are a dime a dozen over at the full general store. In other words, the drinking glass cups are cheap and readily available at the shop.

Synonyms / Like: bought for a song, run of the mill

A dime, a small coin worth ten cents. — In the 19th century, a dime could be used to purchase a dozen eggs, amongst other foods.

The Origin of "A Dime a Dozen"

In the year 1796, the first U.S. dimes were produced for circulation. Thus, I recollect it'south reasonable to say the phrase's origin must have happened during or after that twelvemonth. From what I've seen, this phrase probably originated during the 1800s. I say this because during this century, various newspapers had advertisements that were selling different foods for the literal cost of a dime a dozen.

For case, some of the foods being sold at that price (based on the newspapers I saw) were eggs, oranges, peaches, and others. Of course, the dime was worth more dorsum and then compared to its value today, but still, it sounds like people were getting a nice deal. Anyways, one of the newspapers that mentioned these kinds of prices was the Galveston Daily News, 1866:

"The San Antonio Ledger says the city is well stocked with peaches at a dime a dozen."

Okay, then when did this phrase showtime to be used with its figurative meaning of "something that's very common and/or of small worth"? It looks like this happened sometime around the 1930s, or at least, that is the earliest I could notice it in print existence used in a such a way. For example, it'southward used figuratively in The Northern Miner newspaper, 1931, where it reads:

"'Carners,' the onetime-timer said, 'is just an overgrown clown. Every bit for the others–Schaof, Baer, Paulino, Risko, Campolo–they're nothing but 'dime a dozen fighters.' "

Some other example of this expression with its figurative usage comes vi years afterwards, from the Sandusky Register, 1937:

"Smiles were a dime a dozen in the Yankee clubhouse. Even Colonel Ruppert, owner of the club, was so stated he went from player to player shaking hands."

Example Sentences

Here is a example of how this phrase tin be used in a sentence:

Hugs were a dime a dozen at the family reunion I went to; everyone was so happy to see each other.

Similar Instance:

The clothing store virtually me is having a big discount, then these clothes shirts I bought for a vocal.

Tip: In that location are plenty more than mutual English language phrases on here to learn about, hundreds of them, in fact! To find them, apply the messages at the top.