Idiom usage
What is the meaning and origin of "talk nineteen to the dozen"? Is it overused? If it is so, I do not want to know its origin. I want only the meaning of this idiom.
sanjay
Expert
3 answers 
I have never heard of this phrase, so in my corner of the world it is not overused. In your first sentence, you ask for the meaning and origin. Your third sentence says you don't want to know the origin. So, do you or don't you? I'm betting a quick search will give you an answer either way.
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answered Jul 21 '12 at 17:43
Patty T
Grammarly Fellow
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If it is over used, I do not want. I want to know the meaning of the idiom.
What is the meaning, Ma'am?
add commentI'm with Patty. That phrase is new to my ears, as well.
To expand on Patty's answer, if we've never heard the idiom, we don't know the meaning. When I'm not familiar with an idiom, I look it up on the internet. That's something you can do, Sanjay. You don't need us to do it for you.
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answered Jul 21 '12 at 18:04
Jody M.
Expert
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Ok. I agree with you. Thanks.
add commentIt is used in Britain and Austrailia informally.
It’s now perhaps a little old-fashioned as a British expression, though you can still find examples in newspapers and daily speech.
The usual meaning, as you will have gathered, is to do something at a great rate. It most often refers to speed of speaking
It means:
If someone is talking nineteen to the dozen, they are talking very fast(quickly), without stopping.
Gaby was chatting away nineteen to the dozen behind me and I couldn't concentrate.
I hope the below links will help you:
http://www.worldwidewords.org/qa/qa-nin2.htm
http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/edu/2002/03/19/stories/2002031900030201.htm
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answered Jul 22 '12 at 02:17
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Thanks a lot.
Great help! I didn't know that "The Hindu newspaper" publishes articles on the English usage. Is it published everyday or once a week? Please let me know. Thanks in advance.
Try the link for further details:
http://www.hindu.com/edu/
