Dominoes are small, rectangular blocks of wood or plastic. They are usually white on one side and black on the other, although some have an image resembling dice on one face. A domino set contains 28 such pieces, also called bones, cards, men, or tiles. Dominoes are used to play a variety of games in which the players try to make chains of dominoes by matching ends (e.g., a double touching a two) or by forming angular patterns such as crosses or loops. The name derives from the fact that these pieces can be stacked on end in long lines, with the first domino tipping over and causing the rest to fall. This is what gives rise to the phrase the domino effect, which means that a small event can trigger larger-scale consequences.
As an example of the domino effect, consider a person who is late to work and misses his or her train. The missed train will probably affect his or her schedule for the rest of the day, and perhaps for many days to come. Likewise, an event in a company can have a domino effect on the rest of the business. It might be the domino that causes employees to leave, or it might be the domino that leads to a significant decrease in revenue. Whatever the case, it is important to be aware of the impact of a domino, especially in businesses that have a large number of employees.
While the word domino has many uses, it is most commonly associated with a game of chance played with a set of flat thumb-sized blocks that are arranged in lines or angular patterns. Each domino has a numbered or blank face and an image of dots or other symbols that are used to identify the piece on its other face. A typical domino set has 28 such pieces, but some have a greater number of unique identifiers on their ends. These larger sets are often referred to as extended dominoes.
The domino game originated in France around 1750. It was not until the 18th century, however, that it became popular in England and the United States. Domino is closely related to the word dominoes, which originally denoted a long hooded cloak worn together with a mask at carnival season or during a masquerade. In French, domino also was a word for a cape that a priest would wear over his or her surplice.
In writing, the word domino is sometimes used to refer to a person who writes by the seat of their pants and does not create a detailed outline before beginning a story. This style of writing, often referred to as pantsing or fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants, can result in scenes that do not flow well or have enough logical impact on the scene ahead of them. The use of a tool such as Scrivener or a detailed outline can help to ensure that a story has sufficient continuity and impact.
