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Definition

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

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Origins

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".

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See Also

  • make heads or tails of
  • heads or harps
  • cross and pile
  • toss a coin
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How People Actually Use It

Heads or Tails is a chance game with a 50% chance of losing and 50% chance of winning. It is mostly used in betting or used to just have fun. heads or tails HAS to be used in coins or it will not be a 50 50 chance game.

"Let's play heads or tails a player chooses heads and the other is forced to choose tails. Whichever side it lands on the person who called it wins. This game is used in coins."

Source: Urban Dictionary