Dec has just said on ITV2 he could see Jai's pulse in his neck going twenty to the dozen.

My husband says that but I've always said 19 to the dozen.

Some people say 10 to the dozen (which I think is a*** about face and misses the point).

How many do you say? If you do.

I know i know I need to get out more. Can't believe I'm discussing this on a forum.

There are a dozen red roses for my darling.






Sorry for the random unhelpful thought.

LOL, well it's a random unhelpful thread!!

It is 19.

Oh good. I can be right!

I say 10 to the dozen but have also heard 19 to the dozen! never 20! what does it mean in context anyway! i know it means fast

thirteen to the dozen

I've only ever heard anyone say ten to the dozen.

Yeh, it means that in the time you would normally get 12, you end up with 19 or 20 or whatever, i.e. more therefore quicker.

Which is why I don't think 10 works.

Found this
I'm on holiday in the States at the moment, but I've just accessed the site and seen the unanswered request for 'ninteen to the dozen'. This is a very British saying. Origin:

Dozen: When going nineteen to the dozen something or someone is going at breakneck speed. The origin here is one of the nicest that I have come across. It goes back to the time of the Cornish tin and copper mines. These mines were often hit by floods. In the 18th century coal powered, steam driven pumps were installed to clear the water. When working maximally the pumps could clear nineteen thousand gallons of water for every twelve bushels of coal.



http://www.phrases.org.uk/bulletin_b...sages/774.html

Yeah it doesn't work! From now i on i will say 13 to the dozen! ( I think it's a cooler number than 19 )

Thanks I love these totally off the wall origins of sayings.

Good grief! Can't you find anything more interesting to do on your holidays? lol. I know, I bet you were checking who won, weren't you?

Good find of info, btw, I always say 19 to the dozen.

Enjoy the rest of your hols. (that's meant to be you with sunglasses)