dibs

• (UK) IPA^(key): /dɪbz/
• Rhymes: -ɪbz

Since the early 19th century, of disputed origin. Most commonly thought to be from dibstones (“counters used in a game with the same name”). Also from dib (“to tap”) or related to northern English dip (“small depression in the ground”), or a shortened version of divide

dibs (uncountable)

1. (informal) The right to use or enjoy something exclusively or before anyone else.

   Dibs means I get the hammock.

   Who's got dibs on the chips?

   • 2011 March 23, “We asked mayoral candidates: Do you support 'dibs' on parking spots?”, in Chicago Sun-Times:

     Del Valle has the blessing of a garage, so he doesn't have to claim “dibs” on shoveled street spots himself, he said.

   • 2012 February 16, “Our View: Public Employees Bill of Rights Act all wrong”, in Appeal-Democrat:

     It aims to give unionized California government workers "more workplace discipline protections and first dibs on state government work," as the Sacramento Bee put it.

• bags (Australia)

• first dibs

dibs

1. (informal) Used to claim this right

dibs (third-person singular simple present dibses, present participle dibsing, simple past and past participle dibsed)

1. (informal) To claim a temporary right to (something); to reserve.

• (to reserve): bagsy (UK), bags (Australia)

dibs (uncountable)

1. (dated) A sweet preparation or treacle of grape juice, much used in the East.

   (Can we find and add a quotation of Johnston to this entry?)

dibs

1. plural of dib
2. (obsolete) A child's game, played with dib bones or stones, throwing them up from one's palm and catching them on the back of the hand.

• BIDS, IDBs, bids