GAVE DICKENS Meaning and
Definition
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"Gave dickens" is an idiomatic expression that originated from the works of the renowned British author, Charles Dickens. This phrase is often used to describe a situation or an action in which something or someone is causing great difficulty, trouble, or annoyance.
The term "gave" in this context refers to inflicting or causing. Meanwhile, "dickens" is a colloquialism derived from Dickens' last name and is used to magnify the intensity or severity of the situation. Thus, when someone "gave dickens," they are significantly or excessively troubling or annoying a person or situation.
The phrase gained popularity due to Dickens' vivid and dramatic storytelling style, where he portrayed characters and events that were fraught with adversity, difficulty, or troublesome circumstances. Over time, this expression has become ingrained in colloquial language to describe any situation that provokes frustration or great annoyance.
For instance, one might say, "My car broke down on the way to an important meeting, and it gave me dickens." Here, the phrase emphasizes the considerable trouble and inconvenience that the car trouble caused and underscores the individual's exasperation.
In summary, "gave dickens" is an idiomatic expression that conveys a heightened degree of difficulty, trouble, or annoyance caused by a person, event, or situation. It has become a part of everyday language, fueled by the enduring influence of Charles Dickens' portrayal of challenging circumstances in his literary works.
Common Misspellings for GAVE DICKENS
- fave dickens
- vave dickens
- bave dickens
- have dickens
- yave dickens
- tave dickens
- gzve dickens
- gsve dickens
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- gav4 dickens
Etymology of GAVE DICKENS
The phrase "gave dickens" is an idiom that means to scold, reprimand, or give someone a hard time. It comes from the use of the word "dickens" as a euphemism for the devil or hell. The origin of this expression can be traced back to the works of William Shakespeare.
In Shakespeare's play "The Merry Wives of Windsor" (published in 1602), there is a character named Mistress Page who says, "I cannot tell what the dickens his name is my husband had him of". Here, "the dickens" refers to the devil or something evil. Shakespeare's usage of "dickens" as a euphemism for the devil likely contributed to the phrase's adoption as an idiomatic expression.
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