The idiom “down and dirty” is a relatively new addition to the English language, with two meanings: describing deceptive behavior or wild sex. Its origin is uncertain, with theories ranging from the film Dirty Dancing to the card game poker or sports. Its popularity grew quickly in the 1980s, reflecting modern culture’s problems.
Idioms, often called utterances or sayings, enrich the English language richly. While many very common idioms have been a staple in the language for decades and even centuries, other idioms are relatively new and reflect some aspect of modern culture. One such idiom is “down and dirty,” which can mean one of two things. People use it to describe a situation or individual who operates deceptively or underhandedly, but it also functions as a euphemism for sex, especially sex that is wild, uncontrolled, or illicit in any way.
“Down and Dirty” didn’t come into popular use until the mid to late 1980s. Its use spread very quickly as it seemed to reflect problems in what was then the current culture. The actions of shady politicians have been called “dirty and filthy” and public attention and curiosity about a wide range of sexual practices have recently become the subject of films, books and other media, putting them in the spotlight of both Americans and British.
While this expression is relatively recent, there is no absolute clear source of origin that linguists have been able to find. Different theories abound. Some believe that the phrase “down and dirty” entered common parlance as a result of the film Dirty Dancing. This film, starring Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Gray, explored the nature of forbidden sexual attraction through the medium of dance. Swayze, as a dance instructor, teaches Gray sensual dance moves, some of which bring the dancers to the ground as they grind their hips together.
Another theory claims that “down and dirty” comes from the card game called poker. In this game, some cards are dealt face down, while others are dealt face up. The last of the seven cards dealt is placed face down. Until each player is dealt their last card, it is impossible to predict how the game will turn out. A bad card can actually tarnish an otherwise good hand, thus “dirtying” it.
Yet another possible source of the expression can be found in sports. Sports fans can get very involved with their favorite games without actually participating in the game. Whether they’re watching a game on television or live, they don’t get their hands dirty because they’re not chasing, jumping or tackling the ball. It is the players themselves, in this interpretation of the expression, who actually “get dirty and dirty”.
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