English Explanatory Dictionary

heads or tails

English dictionary entry

Meanings

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

Pronunciation

en-au-heads or tails.ogg

Word forms

heads or tails

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".

Related words

make heads or tails of heads or harps cross and pile toss a coin
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