Origin of the expression "ones and twos"

[doppelkorn]

I can't find a definitive answer on the net. If we can find a reference to this phrase before 1979 we're laughing. It's a good job they recorded all that rap music 1975-1978.

[Jon]

I've always presumed it originated from either technics 1200 or 12 inch vinyl as a reference to the equipment used?

 

 

Urban dictionary says it originates from technics: http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=ones+and+twos

[Wax On]

I'd like to think that it was just invented by some dude in a bingo hall in preston or something

[Jimmy]

you didnt include a 'i dont care' option

[doppelkorn]

@Jon Urban Dictionary is like Wikipedia for the ultra thick so let's take that with a pinch of salt. I did notice that though.

 

@Wax Could be Jimmy Saville?

 

@Jim I was going to but forgot so hang on...

[Jimmy]

after reading my 'adventures of the wheel of steel' book matt gave me, it says jimmy saville invented djing and using 2 turnables. so it probly was him

[Wax On]

Jimmy Saville crossed my mind, but I'd probably rather it was Les Dawson or Jim Bowen...

[ericuk]

1's and 2's is what my parents found in my nappies until I grew out of them at 19

[doppelkorn]

It was Bernard Manning. Originally it was rhyming slang for "jews".

[Vet]

I'll take a guess and say its because (especially on early mixers) your two turntables went into line 1...or 2...hence the phrase.

 

Just my $0.02. =)

[Guest broke]

Technics 1200, surely

[texas pete]

I would have thought along the same lines as real-izm...

 

Before the 2 turntables they would only one and have a few seconds pause between the songs. Then when saville used 2 turntables and a mixer, the inputs would have been on lines 1 and 2.... As it was new, you would think they would have yet to name it so would they settle for decks, turntables, ones and twos?