Hey everyone!
Here’s a short post about Dickens’ influence on the English language. We originally talked about it in class and I thought it would be a good idea to show you that this author has brought, along with his novels, some new vocabulary to the British nation. I collected a few of them for you to see. Enjoy! ; ) (BTW: My all time favorite is probably “What the Dickens?”, I just hardly imagine anyone saying this today!)
Dickensian: this word stands for difficult living and working conditions.
A Fagin: An adult who turns kids into criminals. (From Oliver Twist)
A Scrooge: A stingy and ill-mannered person. (From A Christmas Carol)
Ghost of Christmas past : Refers to someone who has disappeared for many years and comes back to remind someone else of the past. (From A Christmas Carol)
A Micawber: Someone without any wealth who hopes for a better future. (From David Copperfield)
Whiz-bang: Something that’s very rapid, quick. ( From The Pickwick Papers)
What the Dickens?: Old expression which was used to express surprise, anger… It’s quite the same as “What in the world?”.
Boredom: When one feels disinterested, bored. (From Bleak house)
Marley’s Ghost: A person coming back to haunt someone. Can also mean someone who is chained up. (From A Christmas Carol)
Bah, Humbug!: Expression used to say that you are disgusted or irritated. (From A Christmas Carol)
Ocean Boulevard 