heads or tails

English

Etymology

Attested since at least 1833, on the second page of Galignani's Messenger: "amusing themselves by pitching quoits, spoiling halfpence at heads or tails with the gingerbread merchants, drinking beer, smoking, etc".

Pronunciation

  • Audio (General Australian):(file)

Noun

heads or tails

  1. (idiomatic) The practice of flipping a coin in the air, to choose between two alternatives based on which side lands face up.

Translations

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Further reading