Sixes and Sevens - The Dispatch Depot at Civil War Talk

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Sixes and Sevens

11-21-2001, 01:15 PM

aggie80

Corporal (250+ posts)

Join Date: Feb 2005

Location: SE Michigan

Posts: 270

I have encountered this phrase in two different commentaries on the Civil War written in the 19th century. The phrase "At sixes and sevens" is used to mean "in confusion." The first documented appearance is in the 1300's and is believed to have originated with the dice game 'Hazard,' where trying for a score of six or seven was considered a bad option, only taken by those that had overindulged or were very confused. The total being 13 may also be a factor.

__________________
Mark W. Swarthout, Esq.
GGGrandson of Pvt. John W. Swarthout, Company E, 148th NYVI - Wounded at Cold Harbor.
GGGGrandson of Pvt. Henry Stephens, Company D, 137th NYVI - Wounded at Culp's Hill, Gettysburg.

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