Dollars to donuts: A meditation
Posted on January 18th, 2008 – 2:50 PMBy Michael Rand

This is something we’ve been thinking about quite a bit the past few days, which we understand is an indictment in and of itself. But then Fasolamatt sent us this link; and then we wrangled a free donut at a morning meeting today (our first such pastry in a while), and we decided it was time to let the world in on our internal monologue. So: Who is familiar with the expression, “I’ll bet you dollars to donuts?” Everyone? Well, in case you’re not, it’s an expression that dates back more than 100 years, and we can all agree that it essentially means, when you say it, that you are so sure of something that you would wager your dollars against someone else’s donuts that “thing X” is true. The implication, of course, is that the person putting up the donuts is getting quite a deal. You’re wagering some real money; all he or she is doing is offering up a donut. But here’s the thing: Over the course of more than 100 years, inflation has taken its toll. So, too, has the notion of fancying up things that should be pure and simple. The U.S. dollar? Not so strong. These days, we’re not so sure the person betting the dollars isn’t trying to pull a fast one. Dollars to donuts, you say? What about donuts that are $2 apiece even when you buy them by the dozen? Frankly, we think this expression needs to be reversed. The person who is so [redacted] sure of themselves needs to say, “I’ll bet you donuts to dollars …” because that’s where the real value is.
With that in mind, if we were a bettin’ man, we’d bet you donuts to dollars that the Patriots and Packers each win by at least 11 points this weekend; the Patriots, in fact, will win by at least 17. Both will cover. Roughkat/Rupert wonders this: does the casual Vikings fan want the Giants to win because they hate Green Bay, or do they want the Packers to win because it will theoretically set up a better Super Bowl? Our choice? Door No. 3: We want the Packers to win so that they will lose in the Super Bowl. But that’s just us. (By the way, let’s not forget that the Giants played the Patriots very tough late in the season … they could give them a run).
In any event: Dollars, donuts and this weekend’s games: Discuss.


