The Dozens
Script error: No such module "AfC submission catcheck".
| Players | 2 or more |
|---|---|
| Setup time | None |
| Playing time | Varies |
| Random chance | Low |
| Skill(s) required | Verbal wit, improvisation |
Search The Dozens on Amazon.
The Dozens is a game of spoken words between two contestants, common in African American culture, where participants insult each other until one gives up. It is customary for the Dozens to be played in front of an audience of bystanders, who encourage the participants to reply with more egregious insults to heighten the tension and, consequently, to be more interesting to watch.
History[edit]
The Dozens has its origins in the slave trade of African Americans and has been dated back to the time of slavery in the United States.[1] It has been described as a way to cope with and make light of a difficult situation.[2]
Rules[edit]
The primary rule is to keep the insults focused on the opponent's intelligence, appearance, or family, but never to resort to physical violence.
Cultural Impact[edit]
The Dozens has had a significant impact on various forms of African American oral literature, ranging from Black English to modern hip-hop music.[3]
References[edit]
- ↑ Abrahams, Roger D. (1964). Deep Down in the Jungle: Negro Narrative Folklore from the Streets of Philadelphia. Aldine Publishing Company. ISBN 978-0202308470. Search this book on
- ↑ Jackson, Bruce (1968). "Get Your Ass in the Water and Swim Like Me: Narrative Poetry from the Black Oral Tradition". Harvard University Press. 1: 45–67.
- ↑ Smith, John (1995). "Black English and the Dozens". Journal of Black Studies. 26 (1): 3–19.
This article "The Dozens" is from Wikipedia. The list of its authors can be seen in its historical and/or the page Edithistory:The Dozens. Articles copied from Draft Namespace on Wikipedia could be seen on the Draft Namespace of Wikipedia and not main one.
