Dibs
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[edit] Usage
Dibs is a slang term used to stake a claim on something. Calling dibs is typically done by yelling "Dibs", on the desired object. The system operates mostly on a first-come, first-serve basis.
For the most part, calling 'dibs' on something that is going to happen in the late future is not acceptable, but things that are fast approaching are. At any rate, even if no one accepts the dibber's dibs, that person is still announcing their intent to have dibs on the thing they have called. As an example, when planning to leave on a trip the next day a call of "dibs on shotgun" would normally be rejected, but if that person gets to the front seat first, there is little anyone else can do. Similarly, it may be acceptable for someone to say on the ride home "dibs on the washroom", because it is something happening in the present or near future (plus, that person has implied that they have to go to the washroom).
In the United Kingdom and Ireland "Bagsy" (or "Bagsie" or "Bags") is used to the same effect, although "dibs" is also used on occasion. Bagsy or bags started out as "Bags I", according to the Oxford English Dictionary which gives school-related examples from 1866 onward. Similarly, bag or bags can be used informally as a verb meaning claim in a phrase like "I'll bag the best seats". This is related to bag meaning to 'put something in a bag'.
In New Zealand and Australia the word "bags" is used to the same effect. "Bagsy" and "dibs" are used occasionally with the same meaning. When calling bags, one will not usually include the word "on" - "Bags ____ing" is used in the case of verbs, and "Bags the ____" in the case of nouns. Bags is of particular use in opting out of an undesirable task, when saying "Bags not me" before anyone else in the group will exclude one from having to do that task. Young children often use bags in this way in the song "Turn around, touch the ground, bags not me!".
[edit] "No dibs" or "Dibs out"
"No dibs" or "Dibs out" is usually called when an undesirable chore or action is brought up. Convention holds that while calling "no dibs" one must place a finger to their nose, or sometimes a thumb to the forehead. The last person to call "No dibs" is then required to perform the action or chore. It is, in a sense, the antithesis of dibs. In some places, "Not me" or "Not it" is more commonly used than "No dibs." In certain children's games (such as tag), this morphs into the term "Not it" (where, once a game is declared, the last person to yell "Not it!" becomes "it"). Often 'not it' will be proceeded by counting to three, so to prepare those in the know to get ready to say 'not it' and get in before the last person to do so, who is then 'it'. In some areas, the phrase "Nose goes" is preferred. After a declaration of "nose goes", everyone must hurry to touch their nose with their index finger, whereby the last one to do it becomes "it". If the last person to touch their nose is not found out quickly enough, the last person can call out "Chins Wins." The game has changed to whoever can simultaneously touch their nose with their index finger and their chin with their thumb, the last one here is then "it."
[edit] "Not it"
Calling "not it" in a group of people when a less than desirable task comes up. The last person to say "not it" in fact is "it" and must perform the task without fail or whining. The only time a person is expempt from the "not it" game is if that person has already performed the task once prior that day and the same task comes up again.
[edit] "Shot not"
"Shot not" is used the same way as "No dibs" or "Dibs out." Sometimes touching the nose is required.
[edit] "Lay lay"
Lay Lay is a term used by children and teens in areas of low socio-economic areas of the Western United States and possibly other regions. The term, mainly used by African-Americans, is used very similarly to dibs, however, Lay Lay can be called on another's property if the owner has not yet called it.
It is most always used to claim food or candy but can be called in substitution of shot-gun or dibs. Often the person calling lay lay must be touching the object being called at the time of the claim.
The term may have derived from the term Lay-away. A term used by retail stores to describe a process by which a customer is able to reserve a specific piece of merchandise by paying for a small percentage of it up front. The customer is not able to take possession of the merchandise until it is completely paid for.
[edit] Gesturing dibs
Dibs can also be a gestured motion if both parties visiblely can see the dib be performed or gestured towards. (i.e. putting your credit card down to pay for something)
[edit] Dibbing
Dibbing is the form of calling dibs on the "prize" or "target" but getting someone else to choose what is to be dibbed by the caller of the dibbing. For example, Jane calls dibs on paying for a meal but Mike has to make the choice as to where to go for said meal.
