The spelling of the phrase "most dickens" may seem confusing at first glance. However, it can be easily understood through the use of IPA phonetic transcription. The first word, "most," is pronounced /moʊst/ and means "almost all" or "very." On the other hand, "dickens" is pronounced /dɪkənz/ and refers to the devil. Hence, "most dickens" is a phrase used to express surprise or shock, similar to saying "oh my goodness" or "oh my gosh."
"Most dickens" is a colloquial expression used to emphasize the extent or intensity of something, often describing a strong emotion or feeling. It originated from the writings of Charles Dickens, a renowned British author known for his vivid and dramatic descriptions of characters and settings.
In this context, "most" acts as an intensifier, emphasizing the extent or degree to which something is "dickens." Although "dickens" is not a standard word in the dictionary, it is derived from Charles Dickens's last name and is used to indicate something that is strongly characterized by his storytelling style.
When something is described as "most dickens," it means that it is exceptionally vivid, dramatic, intense, or over-the-top, often evoking a strong emotional response. It highlights the larger-than-life qualities or vividness of a particular situation, event, or person. For example, if someone says, "That storm was most dickens," they mean that the storm was extremely severe, awe-inspiring, and perhaps even frightening.
Due to its colloquial nature, the phrase "most dickens" may appear in informal contexts such as conversations, literature discussions, or reviews where individuals are trying to evoke the spirit of Charles Dickens's writings and convey a strong sense of intensity or dramatic impact.
The phrase "most dickens" does not have a specific etymology as it is a modified form of the word "Dickens". "Dickens" itself is primarily associated with the English author Charles Dickens, known for his novels such as "A Tale of Two Cities" and "Oliver Twist". However, the phrase "most dickens" is not directly related to Charles Dickens or his works.
It is believed that "dickens" has derived from the expression "devilkins", a diminutive of "devil", used to refer to a mischievous or playful spirit. Over time, "devilkins" transformed into "dickens", becoming an intensifier used to convey surprise, emphasis, or intensity. The phrase "what the dickens" (also known as "what the deuce") serves as an exclamation used similarly to "what on earth" or "what in the world".