six of one, half a dozen of the other

S

six of one, half a dozen of the other

Meaning | Synonyms

• comparison between the two things which are identical
• when two options are available and they are equivalent, choosing any one of them won’t make any difference
• participating equally
• equally accountable
• contributing in the same manner

Example Sentences

1. If I go north or south, I will turn up at the same location. It is six of one, half dozen of the other.
2. I am going to have six of one, half dozen of the other of those donuts.
3. We can go to the shopping mall first or at the festival. It is six of one and half a dozen of the other.
4. It does not matter that we take the bridge or the road; we will reach on time because it is six of one and half a dozen of the other.

Origin

The oldest record of this phrase that we can trace is in the journal of Ralph Clark, who was a British naval officer. In 1790, in the Pacific Ocean, the ship was wrecked where he was the first lieutenant. In 1790, he wrote the following:

“Of all the places in the World this is the greatest nest for Rascals it is impossible to trust any one of our men hardly much more any of the Convicts in Short there is no difference between Soldier Sailor or Convicts there Six of the one and half a Dozen of the other.”

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