Mr. Cruncher... always spoke of the year of our Lord as Anna Dominoes: apparently under the impression that the Christian era dated from the invention of a popular game, by a lady who had bestowed her name upon it.
Interpretation
Mr. Cruncher humorously misunderstands the origin of the Christian era, mistaking it for a board game.
In this quote, Charles Dickens presents Mr. Cruncher’s comical confusion as he equates the Christian era with the origin of a game called 'Anna Dominoes.' This misunderstanding reflects the humorous folly of people who misinterpret important cultural references, highlighting both the absurdity and charm of everyday misunderstandings in language and history.
In practice
This quote would be perfect for a discussion about how language can lead to humorous misunderstandings in public speaking.
I recollected one story there was in the village, how that on a certain night in the year (it might be that very night for anything I knew), all the dead people came out of the ground and sat at the heads of their own graves till morning.
A silent look of affection and regard when all other eyes are turned coldly away-the consciousness that we possess the sympathy and affection of one being when all others have deserted us-is a hold, a stay, a comfort, in the deepest affliction, which no wealth could purchase, or power bestow.
Heaven knows we need never be ashamed of our tears, for they are rain upon the blinding dust of earth, overlying our hard hearts. I was better after I had cried, than before--more sorry, more aware of my own ingratitude, more gentle.
There are not a few among the disciples of charity who require, in their vocation, scarcely less excitement than the votaries of pleasure in theirs.
You might, from your appearance, be the wife of Lucifer,” said Miss Pross, in her breathing. “Nevertheless, you shall not get the better of me. I am an Englishwoman.
Christmas is a poor excuse every 25th of December to pick a man's pockets.
People think I'm a very serious actor, which I am. But you know, if you don't have a sense of humor doing what I do, you perish.
Comedy is learning to be funny, and you learn to be funny in small rooms with young audiences.
Mostly I just kill time," he said, "and it dies hard.
[...] things most people do naturally are often inexplicably difficult for me.
Our business is infested with idiots who try to impress by using pretentious jargon.
Soft rock music isn't rock, and it ain't music. It's just soft. Reminds me of something my third-grade teacher said to us. She said, "You show me a tropical fruit and I'll show you a cocksucker from Guatemala."
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.