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Craps Creeps into the English Language
They say that the eye is the window to the soul. This is, without a doubt, true. However, if one truly wishes to understand an individual, it is imperative to understand the culture from which that individual comes. And, of course, the best and most effective way to get to know a culture is to learn the language of that culture. The way in which a people expresses itself - down to the individual words used - will tell you more about that culture than any grammatical rule or textbook ever will. It is interesting to realize that many of the phrases used in everyday English come from the game of Craps. Let's focus on just a few of those phrases.
Craps Expressions in the English Language
Many of the phrases used in the English language come from Craps. To name just a few examples:
Crapshoot - We know that to call something a "crapshoot" in English slang is meant to communicate futility of action. However, in its original Craps context, this phrase means that the player is hitting consistent money.
No dice - In English slang, when someone says "no dice" it means that a chance has been taken without the desired result. In Craps, it means a throw of the dice which is out of play, or invalid.
Crap out - In colloquial English, this phrase means to give out, or to fail. Within the context of Craps, it means something more or less the same: the end of a good performance in the game.
Snake Eyes - In Craps context, this phrase refers to a roll of 2 by two 1s. In colloquial English, it refers to an expression, often slightly mysterious or indecipherable (and sometimes with evil intent) communicated through the eyes.
Do it the hard way - In Craps, this is a bet on 4, 6, 8 or 10. It is a bet which hopes that a number will be thrown divided between two of the dice before a 7 is rolled or before that number is rolled in any other form. In colloquial English, to do something the hard way means exactly what it sounds like - that there is more than one method to achieving a result and the method chosen is the most difficult of the options.
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