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Post by chemikalman on Apr 10, 2005 12:36:02 GMT -5
Did you know what "dropping a dime" meant in the most recent episode or were you kind of wondering, like I was? A reference I always go to first in this case is urbandictionary.com. It consists of user-submitted definitions and has a convenient search window. For instance, a search of "dropping dimes" came up with several hits.
1. To snitch, tell, sneak, lie, or play frequently; to give up a secret; to spill the beans
2. To litteraly [*not edited for spelling] drop a dime or dimebag of cocaine at a drop for a quick drug deal.
At first I thought Halpern meant #2, but that didn't make sense. In a chat with TheKyoteh she guessed it meant Halpern was going to call Antwon and tell on Shane (using the "nostalgic" cost of a payphone call, $0.10).
Her instincts look good and that might very well be the origin of the expression, given what was listed under the definition of "drop dime":
2. drop dime Drop dime means to rat someone out, or reveal information, in any situation. It derived from late 1960's and 70's South, where there were 33 fires a day at one point, and crime was the highest it ever was. Thus, many people would rat to save thier own ass, and they'd use a dime because that's what it cost. "Yo man, somebody dropped dime on me. My probation officer know about my bid'ness."
Source: Joe Leffe, Dec 4, 2003 [*each definition's source is credited]
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Post by thekyoteh on Apr 10, 2005 13:32:26 GMT -5
Did you know what "dropping a dime" meant in the most recent episode or were you kind of wondering, like I was? A reference I always go to first in this case is urbandictionary.com. It consists of user-submitted definitions and has a convenient search window. That site is great! It's really good for current/modern slang too (which is what I've used it for in the past) I found it a couple years ago after I joined a club where most of the members in my area are guys in their early to mid 20s. I spent a lot of time initially trying to figure out what the heck they were saying! lol Ky
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Post by SHAKA on Apr 12, 2005 0:35:09 GMT -5
Hey,
Thanks for the URL. I WAS wondering what 'drop a dime' meant.
That website is great for a show that uses so much slang like The Shield.
Great post chemikalman!
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Post by qb on Apr 12, 2005 23:08:37 GMT -5
I was thinking that to "drop a dime" on someone meant a physical threat...as in, perhaps, making that phone call to order a hit. Thanks for 'splaining, Chemmy!
Maybe the phrase should be updated: "Yo, I'm gonna text yo ass!"
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Post by lacrash37 on Nov 18, 2005 0:41:15 GMT -5
When it's something really serious, instead of a dime, you would be "Dropping a manhole cover!!"
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