phrases, sayings, proverbs and idioms at

The meaning and origin of the expression: No dice

No dice

Other phrases about:

What's the meaning of the phrase 'No dice'?

The expression 'no dice' is a refusal to accept a proposition - equivalent to 'nothing doing'.

What's the origin of the phrase 'No dice'?

This is a US phrase and originated there in the early 20th century and is still more used there than elsewhere in the English-speaking world. Gambling with dice was illegal in many states and so gamblers went to some pains to hide the dice when challenged by the police. Courts would sometimes throw out cases if the dice weren't offered in evidence. There are several court records where gamblers were alleged to have swallowed dice to avoid arrest.

No diceThe Texas newspaper The Port Arthur Daily News, April 1921, contains the first reference I can find to 'no dice' with the 'nothing doing' meaning:

"It's 'no dice' when the bones can't be found, according to a local court decision. Six white men arrested Tuesday by Officer W D Moore and charged with gaming with dice.

'Did you see them shooting dice?' queried the city attorney.
'No, I did not see the dice.' said the officer."

The men were acquitted. It is very likely that the 'no dice - no conviction' ruling is the source of the current meaning of 'no dice'.

See other phrases that were coined in the USA.

Gary Martin - the author of the phrases.org.uk website.

By Gary Martin

Gary Martin is a writer and researcher on the origins of phrases and the creator of the Phrase Finder website. Over the past 26 years more than 700 million of his pages have been downloaded by readers. He is one of the most popular and trusted sources of information on phrases and idioms.

Browse phrases beginning with:
 
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T UV W XYZ Full List