Where does the phrase What the Dickens?
One of its earliest literary appearances is in a Shakespeare play – The Merry Wives of Windsor (Act 3, Scene 2) where Mistress Page exclaims: “I cannot tell what the dickens his name is ….”
What does the phrase little dickens mean?
According to Answers.com, “Dickens” is a minced oath. It stands for Devil. A little Dickens is an imp. Used familiarly, it is usually affectionate. The phrase “what the dickens” was coined by William Shakespeare and originated in The Merry Wives Of Windsor Act 3, scene 2, 18–23.
Why do we say like the dickens?
Origin of Like the Dickens
Dickens is a substitute for the word devil. Some people try to avoid saying the word devil for religious reasons. One of the most common phrases using like the dickens is to say that something hurt like the dickens.
What does the expression dickens mean?
Dickens is a euphemism, specifically a minced-oath, for the word devil, possibly via devilkins. Shakespeare used ‘dickens’ in ‘the Merry Wives of Windsor, 1600: I cannot tell what the dickens his name is my husband had him of.
Where did the term like the dickens come from?
Dickens is a euphemism, specifically a minced-oath, for the word devil, possibly via devilkins. Shakespeare used ‘dickens’ in ‘the Merry Wives of Windsor, 1600: I cannot tell what the dickens his name is my husband had him of. See other phrases and sayings from Shakespeare.
What does the saying it hurts like the dickens mean?
When people say “it hurts like the dickens” they mean “it hurts like the devil” (i.e. A lot). This comes from the origin of the word “dickens” as euphemism for the word “devil”in Shakespeare’s time.
Why do people say hotter than the dickens?
old-fashioned slang Extremely and uncomfortably hot. On summer days in Texas, when it’s hot as the dickens outside, there’s nothing quite like a tall glass of sweet tea. I hate working in the theme park during the summer because it’s as hot as the dickens in the costumes they make us wear.
What does dickens of a time mean?
“Dickens” is a euphemism for “devil” in this case; the stronger version would be to say that he is having the devil of a time (a very difficult time). saludos.
What does it mean when someone calls you a dickens?
(brit., slang, former) Devil; deuce. What the dickens is that about? noun. Dickens is defined as a word used to show confusion, shock or irritation, or is the last name of the famous author Charles Dickens.