BS: 'The Dozens'... Yo mama is so...

Subject: BS: 'The Dozens'... Yo mama is so...
From: Bobert
Date: 26 Jul 13 - 08:10 PM

"The Dozens" is part of the black culture and has been a staple of black performers... For those not familiar with the rules "the dozens" there are no rules... Just say whatever come to mind...

So I was thinkin' about my buddy Rap...

Ya' know, his mama was ugly when she had him that she'd make a freight train jump track and take a dirt road... Sho nuff would...

Get it, ya'll???

Now have at it...

B;~)

Subject: RE: BS: 'The Dozens'... Yo mama is so...
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 27 Jul 13 - 02:53 AM

No, but it's our own fault for the crap job we did of teaching you lot to speak the Queens English.



Dave H

Subject: RE: BS: 'The Dozens'... Yo mama is so...
From: Pete Jennings
Date: 27 Jul 13 - 06:32 AM

Oh, come off it Bobz, not even I can believe that Rap is uglier than gnu...







The Dozens.

Subject: RE: BS: 'The Dozens'... Yo mama is so...
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 27 Jul 13 - 08:57 AM

Yo Yo Ma is so musical he played while the pre-recording of him playing was playing!

Subject: RE: BS: 'The Dozens'... Yo mama is so...
From: Rapparee
Date: 27 Jul 13 - 10:13 AM

Bobert's mama is so fat that she sweats pure lard. When he was born his mama took one look and ran away. She kept leavin' him places, like the dog pound, but he always came back. She put up a sign that said, "Mr. Garbageman, don't leave no more garbage cuz we got Bobert."

Thas all true!

Subject: RE: BS: 'The Dozens'... Yo mama is so...
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 27 Jul 13 - 01:48 PM

Bobert was so ugly his momma had to rub him up with her lard sweat to get the dog to lick him.

Subject: RE: BS: 'The Dozens'... Yo mama is so...
From: Rapparee
Date: 27 Jul 13 - 05:21 PM

His momma used to rent him out to the railroad cuz his face would stop a runaway train. His momma's face would kill chickens so they was never without food.

Subject: RE: BS: 'The Dozens'... Yo mama is so...
From: Amos
Date: 28 Jul 13 - 12:17 AM

"Author John Leland describes an etymology, writing that the term is a modern survival of an English verb—"to dozen"—dating back at least to the fourteenth century and meaning "to stun, stupefy, daze" or "to make insensible, torpid, powerless".[9]" (Wikipedia linked upthread).

Does anyone else find this etymology hard to accept? A fourteenth century English root meaning being applied to an almost exclusively African-descended social ritual?

But it's the only etymology I have found for it. Does anyone have any other ideas where this name came from?

Subject: RE: BS: 'The Dozens'... Yo mama is so...
From: Joe_F
Date: 28 Jul 13 - 11:31 AM

The OED lists it under the ordinary word "dozen" but offers no explanation of the connection.

Subject: RE: BS: 'The Dozens'... Yo mama is so...
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 28 Jul 13 - 12:43 PM

A couple of my favorites:

Yo mama is so ugly, when you look up "ugly" in the dictionary, there's her picture.

Yo mama is so fat, when she has to haul ass, she makes two trips.

Subject: RE: BS: 'The Dozens'... Yo mama is so...
From: GUEST,Ed T- having fun with Ur mama
Date: 28 Jul 13 - 01:28 PM

Have you ever seen nude pictures of your mama? Want to buy some?

Subject: RE: BS: 'The Dozens'... Yo mama is so...
From: Bill D
Date: 28 Jul 13 - 02:03 PM

Some of the 'dozens' are very creative and clever... but so are some racist or ethnic jokes.... and I just can't wrap my head around the game-- it makes me think in ways that I don't enjoy.

Subject: RE: BS: 'The Dozens'... Yo mama is so...
From: Rapparee
Date: 28 Jul 13 - 06:39 PM

Yo mama is so skinny when she turns sidewise she disappears, and when she saw Bobert she turned sideways.

Subject: RE: BS: 'The Dozens'... Yo mama is so...
From: Pete Jennings
Date: 29 Jul 13 - 07:41 AM

Yo mama is so ugly that during the war they used her as a model for shrapnel.








(Courtesy of the late, great Les Dawson).

Subject: RE: BS: 'The Dozens'... Yo mama is so...
From: Charmion
Date: 29 Jul 13 - 08:58 AM

I'm with BillD on this one.

Subject: RE: BS: 'The Dozens'... Yo mama is so...
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 29 Jul 13 - 09:43 AM

We've been here before Yo Mama

Subject: RE: BS: 'The Dozens'... Yo mama is so...
From: Bobert
Date: 29 Jul 13 - 09:51 AM

I had forgotten that Azizi thread...

Yeah, some folks take exception to "the dozens"... Some of the "yo mama" cracks are clearly out of bounds these days but the tradition is very much part of the black culture... Lotta stuff in rap is all about the dozens...

B~

Subject: RE: BS: 'The Dozens'... Yo mama is so...
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 29 Jul 13 - 10:07 AM

...and this is from some of the people who complain about name calling from the English? It's OK to call someone's Mother a whore or fat or ugly but not to call someone 'wacko'? People divided by a common tongue has never been more apparent.

Cheers

DtG

Subject: RE: BS: 'The Dozens'... Yo mama is so...
From: Bobert
Date: 29 Jul 13 - 10:10 AM

Sorry, Dave, but you are confused...

"The dozens" isn't meant to be hurtful or insulting... It is a part of the black culture that for generations has been used as entertainment...

Please read the Azizi thread for context...

B~

Subject: RE: BS: 'The Dozens'... Yo mama is so...
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 29 Jul 13 - 10:20 AM

"The dozens" isn't meant to be hurtful or insulting... It is a part of the black culture that for generations has been used as entertainment...

Neither is calling someone odd names in an argument Bobert. It is a part of the English culture that for generations has been used as entertainment...

Please read some books in UK English for context...

:D tG

Subject: RE: BS: 'The Dozens'... Yo mama is so...
From: Bobert
Date: 29 Jul 13 - 11:37 AM

Like I said, you are confusing insults and British culture with "the dozens"... No one is insulted when "the dozens" is played... It is good natured and part of the black culture...

Like I said... Read the thread that is linked above for a better understanding because you are missing the point here...

B~

Subject: RE: BS: 'The Dozens'... Yo mama is so...
From: Bill D
Date: 29 Jul 13 - 12:05 PM

" It is a part of the English culture that for generations has been used as entertainment..."

I can 'usually' tell when an insult is "part of... entertainment" and when it is meant quite seriously. I don't do 'the dozens', but I am aware of the intent....just as I am aware of the intent of some of the intent of certain insults in other threads. "Yo mama" is said as a self-contained line. The words surrounding certain other insults convey a totally different approach.

Back to the (so far) half-dozens...

Subject: RE: BS: 'The Dozens'... Yo mama is so...
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 29 Jul 13 - 12:28 PM

No, sorry Bobert. I still don't get it and suspect I never will. And I have seen the referenced thread. I suspect that you will not understand what I am on about either.

If I go into a pub and see a mate it is quite acceptable to start a conversation with 'How are you doing you old bastard!' or 'are you still shagging sheep?'. It is good natured and part of British culture. Simply because it has not been formalised by some strange sort of name does not make it less well intended. I consider most people on here to be friends and I am quite comfortable to insult them in the same way:-)

I have no doubt that the 'dozens' are a good natured part of black culture but the other thing I don't know is whether you or any of the above are black. If not, how come it is OK for you to mimic black culture? Why not stick to your own culture? Is it so lacking in humour that you need to steal someone else's?

You may have noticed a reference to the late great Les Dawson. An English comedian with a wicked line in insults - Particularly about wives and mothers-in-law. I suggest you dig out some of his stand up routines if you think comedic insults are exclusive to black people.

Cheers

DtG

Subject: RE: BS: 'The Dozens'... Yo mama is so...
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 29 Jul 13 - 12:33 PM

Oh - and for an interesting experiment I suggest you walk into a bar in Brixton or Moss Side and try out some of these good natured insults :-)

Cheers

DtG

Subject: RE: BS: 'The Dozens'... Yo mama is so...
From: Bobert
Date: 29 Jul 13 - 01:02 PM

Tell ya' what, Dave... First time I heard it I didn't get it either... But I've witnessed it live and find it pretty amusing now... Just so long as it is done correctly by the correct people...

B~

Subject: RE: BS: 'The Dozens'... Yo mama is so...
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 29 Jul 13 - 01:08 PM

It's probably that then Bobert. There are some things I find funny straight away and some that I don't. If I have to work at it to understand the humour then something is wrong - Like if you have to explain a joke it's not worth telling. What makes conversations on here so interesting sometimes is the differences between the English and the Americans.

We are obviously far better of course. You lot think that humour should not contain you...

:D tG

Subject: RE: BS: 'The Dozens'... Yo mama is so...
From: GUEST,Musket not resisting it..
Date: 29 Jul 13 - 02:49 PM

On that subject Dave, did you pack a pair of waders when you were up Pendle the other day? I take it you were early enough not to go ugly early ?

I was there recently. (Sorry, you know what's coming but some might not have heard it.) I saw a bloke bent double over a sheep. "Are you shearing?" I innocently asked. 'Norr, find yer own bloody sheep."

What I find funny about the "humour" of this thread is that if this was visual, presumably they'd all get blacked up to deliver the punch lines..   About as prosaic as when The Black and White Minstrels did a Woody Guthrie number.

Subject: RE: BS: 'The Dozens'... Yo mama is so...
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 29 Jul 13 - 03:17 PM

Don't use waders mysen, Musky. Find it best to stand the sheep on the edge of a cliff. I find it amazing what people remember though. I have helped countless people in their day to day struggles but they don't call me Dave the helper. I have lost count of the times I have done a good deed but they don't call me Dave the good. But you shag just one sheep...

:D tSS

Subject: RE: BS: 'The Dozens'... Yo mama is so...
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 29 Jul 13 - 03:18 PM

Oh, and yes, I know exactly what you mean. Sort of like 14 year old middle class school kids doing Gangsta' rap.

D.

Subject: RE: BS: 'The Dozens'... Yo mama is so...
From: Jeri
Date: 29 Jul 13 - 03:52 PM

The racial divide in the US isn't as serious as some of you Brits think it is. The dozens is more a local thing that a race thing. Not MY local thing, but I've joined in occasionally and listened in even more.

Subject: RE: BS: 'The Dozens'... Yo mama is so...
From: GUEST,Musket spanning the gap
Date: 29 Jul 13 - 05:30 PM

I'd love to say sheep shagging isn't common over here but, you know ...

Subject: RE: BS: 'The Dozens'... Yo mama is so...
From: Jeri
Date: 29 Jul 13 - 05:45 PM

Sheep shagging's definitely not common over here. Not while they have yer mamma...

There is currently a commercial for K-Mart based on this type of piss-taking. Most of the lines start out "Yo mamma is so thrifty..." and the big "Oh no, she didn't" line is "Yo mamma's so fiscally responsible, she..." I'd say if a commercial like that works for a common US audience, the dozens aren't that big a secret.

I think in my case, it's the Air Force's fault for putting people from a whole bunch of different ethnic groups and cultures together. It started as a Black thing, but has spread.

Subject: RE: BS: 'The Dozens'... Yo mama is so...
From: Rapparee
Date: 29 Jul 13 - 06:45 PM

When Bobert's mama sits around the house, she sits AROUND the house.

I've engaged in stuff like this in white culture, especially in the military or among drinking buddies. The only problem is with someone who gets drunk easily or doesn't understand what's going on and that everyone involved are friends.

Subject: RE: BS: 'The Dozens'... Yo mama is so...
From: Mark Ross
Date: 29 Jul 13 - 06:56 PM

The Dozens: A History of Rap's Mama

Subject: RE: BS: 'The Dozens'... Yo mama is so...
From: Bobert
Date: 29 Jul 13 - 07:35 PM

Heck of a link, Mark...

Thanks...

BTW, Elijah Wald is quite the blues historian... His book, Escaping the Delta" is a superb book...

B~

Subject: RE: BS: 'The Dozens'... Yo mama is so...
From: Rapparee
Date: 29 Jul 13 - 10:32 PM

You talkin' 'bout my mama?

Subject: RE: BS: 'The Dozens'... Yo mama is so...
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 30 Jul 13 - 04:11 AM

I'd say if a commercial like that works for a common US audience, the dozens aren't that big a secret.

Absolutely, Jeri, if you are talking about the USA. I am in England remember and it makes no sense to me at all. Even though I now know what the dozens are. Maybe it is a cultural difference or maybe it is just me! I can literally cry laughing at some of the puns and word plays by authors ranging from P G Wodehouse to Terry Pratchett yest not raise a snigger at things that others find hilarious. There is one man who certainly bridges the divide between UK and US humour for me - Bill Bryson. Anyone else a fan?

Cheers

DtG

Subject: RE: BS: 'The Dozens'... Yo mama is so...
From: GUEST,Ironmule
Date: 30 Jul 13 - 04:22 AM

I've just retired from ten years in a factory that was 50/50 black and white. I enjoy reading "Yo Momma" type jokes, as a type of word play like puns, but have seen them used in "close combat" so to speak. I've seen someone pushed to tears and quiting their job when they were the focus of a "dozens" attack.

Two friends can have fun with the dozens, trading insults with mutual respect. It's a game played by and with your peers. An enemy can wound you deeply by targeting your weak spots.

Is it fun between equals or an attempt to rape someone's spirit? That's the core of the dozens in the real world.

Jeff Smith

Subject: RE: BS: 'The Dozens'... Yo mama is so...
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 30 Jul 13 - 05:17 AM

Thanks Jeff - That is very interesting indeed and a good example of why the BS section here can be so informative at times :-)

Cheers

DtG

Subject: RE: BS: 'The Dozens'... Yo mama is so...
From: Musket
Date: 30 Jul 13 - 05:35 AM

There is a misconception this side of the pond that Americans do not understand irony.

Then I watch The Simpsons, listen to some of the American comics making a good living over here such as Reginald D Hunter and realise it is an urban myth.

Mind you, I do have one observation based on experience. Emails over the years have always had people copying on jokes. I can always tell when a joke has American rather than British origin.

There is usually a superflous line after the punchline, normally along the lines of "and she fainted" or similar. In other words, describing the reaction to whatever the punchline is, rather than leaving it to the imagination, (the more British way of telling a joke.)

I'm not making a judgement call here, not comparing to prefer one over the other, although I am far more wired into the British style. Just making an observation. I was in The Netherlands a few years ago and my Dutch colleague said that there, the best jokes don't even go as far as a punchline, but describe a scene. He gave an example of Gulliver in Lilliput needing "relief." The lilliputians formed two lines of coffin bearer formation and picked up his dick. "Forward! two three four, Back! two three four, Forward! two thr......" He had tears as he was saying it.

Subject: RE: BS: 'The Dozens'... Yo mama is so...
From: Pete Jennings
Date: 30 Jul 13 - 07:10 AM

Musket, no longer a GUEST! Did I miss something?

Subject: RE: BS: 'The Dozens'... Yo mama is so...
From: Gibb Sahib
Date: 30 Jul 13 - 08:43 AM

Whole lotta quaint notions around.

You call it dozens, they call it snaps, I call it ranking

Subject: RE: BS: 'The Dozens'... Yo mama is so...
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 30 Jul 13 - 08:51 AM

Wouldn't the Lilliputians have been lifted off...

Oh, never mind.

:D tG

Subject: RE: BS: 'The Dozens'... Yo mama is so...
From: GUEST,Musket guesting
Date: 30 Jul 13 - 09:26 AM

Musket has always been a member, and for a few years now. Snag is, most posts are from mobile devices such as phone and iPad that have closed systems to allow secure emails (NHS patient and staff data may get sent) and the upshot is not holding cookies.

I occasionally work from home, so log in on personal iMac, hence not a guest.



Ok. Dave, you realise a flaw for the Lilliputian assistance. Bloody Dutch, never thinking things through....

Subject: RE: BS: 'The Dozens'... Yo mama is so...
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 30 Jul 13 - 05:36 PM

Yo, all of you bro's who dis the others Mama's. Yo Mama must be so proud of you...

Am I getting the hang of it?

:D tG

Subject: RE: BS: 'The Dozens'... Yo mama is so...
From: Jeri
Date: 30 Jul 13 - 07:58 PM

No, but you're so cute when you try.

Subject: RE: BS: 'The Dozens'... Yo mama is so...
From: Jeri
Date: 30 Jul 13 - 09:26 PM

From In Living Color.

Subject: RE: BS: 'The Dozens'... Yo mama is so...
From: Bobert
Date: 30 Jul 13 - 09:44 PM

That, Jeri, is priceless...

Thank you...

B~

Subject: RE: BS: 'The Dozens'... Yo mama is so...
From: Rapparee
Date: 30 Jul 13 - 10:54 PM

Bobert, yo mama's so stupid she thinks square roots are vegetables.

Subject: RE: BS: 'The Dozens'... Yo mama is so...
From: michaelr
Date: 30 Jul 13 - 11:42 PM

Yo mama so stupid when they said is chilly outside she went an got a spoon.

Subject: RE: BS: 'The Dozens'... Yo mama is so...
From: Rapparee
Date: 31 Jul 13 - 01:05 AM

Yo mama got so much stank she been declared a superfund site.

Subject: RE: BS: 'The Dozens'... Yo mama is so...
From: Joe_F
Date: 31 Jul 13 - 10:00 PM

In _Back to the Top of the World_ by Hans Ruesch (fiction, but he did his homework) a similar but more serious custom is described, among the old northern Eskimos. Two men who had a quarrel might elect, in lieu of fighting, to have a refereed duel of insults, taking turns to the beat of a drum, the winner being signaled by the amount of laughter in the audience. Honor required reconciliation at the end. Clearly a valuable custom.

Subject: RE: BS: 'The Dozens'... Yo mama is so...
From: Rapparee
Date: 31 Jul 13 - 10:39 PM

Yes, and it was also done among the Vikings.