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crabs

In gambling slang, 'crabs' refers to rolling a two in craps — specifically a pair of aces, the lowest possible dice roll.

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5 citations · last seen May 2026

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#1·Apr 28, 2026

In gambling slang, 'crabs' refers to rolling a two in craps — specifically a pair of aces, the lowest possible dice roll. It's an automatic loss on the come-out roll and one of the most dreaded results in the game. The term likely comes from the sideways-moving shape of the two dice side by side resembling the legs of a crab. In broader slang, 'crabs' can also refer to pubic lice, but in gambling contexts it specifically means snake eyes or the losing dice result.

He blew on the dice for luck, rolled them hard, and watched his fifty dollars vanish as crabs came up.
Origin: Gambling slang; the two-ace roll in craps, named for the visual resemblance of two one-pip dice to crab claws. Term dates to at least 18th-century dice gaming. Editorial expansion authored on Slangora.
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#2·Apr 26, 2026

(gambling, slang) A dice roll of two aces.

Heard in the wild
  • “i'm investing all my savings in crabs”

    — Bluesky· May 2026
  • “when i’m president i’m going to gather a bunch of schoolchildren in the oval office for a press conference and tell them about the time at uni when i thought i had crabs but it was actually just a bunch of granola crumbs that fell into my panties”

    — Bluesky· May 2026
  • “the world has ended. crabs with nuclear codes and trust issues rule the remaining humanity. I must disappear into orbit wearing flip-flops and a look of mild regret!”

    — Bluesky· May 2026
  • “They finished mapping the earth and the empty shell was taken over by Marxist hermit crabs”

    — Bluesky· May 2026
  • “Stupid Gentile question: are Jews weird about pork like Muslims and some Christians? I know shrimp and crabs are no-nos, but is pork in that group too?”

    — Bluesky· May 2026
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