The phrase "six half dozen other" is often used to express that two choices are essentially the same. The spelling of this phrase may seem peculiar, but it reflects how we actually say the words. In IPA phonetic transcription, it would be written as /sɪks hæf 'dʌzən 'ʌðər/. The stress falls on the second syllable of both "half" and "dozen," which gives each word equal weight, reinforcing the idea that they are interchangeable. Although it may seem like an odd construction, "six half dozen other" is a common and widely understood phrase.
"Six of one, half a dozen of the other," also known as "six and half dozen of the other," is an idiomatic phrase primarily used in English-speaking countries. This phrase is an expression used to convey that two alternatives or choices under consideration are essentially the same or have equally positive or negative attributes, often resulting in very similar outcomes or consequences.
The phrase consists of two numerical phrases, "six" and "half a dozen," which are used interchangeably to mean the same quantity of items (six). By repeating the similar ideas using different numerical expressions, the phrase emphasizes the equal value, lack of significant difference, or the redundancy between the options being compared.
When someone employs the phrase "six of one, half a dozen of the other" in a conversation or discussion, they are suggesting that choosing between the options offered will ultimately yield similar results or consequences. It implies that picking either of the alternatives will likely have little impact on the overall outcome, emphasizing that the choices are essentially equal, making them interchangeable. Therefore, the phrase serves to convey that it does not really matter which option is chosen as the difference between them is negligible or inconsequential.