Domino is a small oblong piece of wood or plastic marked on one face with an arrangement of dots, similar to those on dice. Like playing cards, dominoes are used for many games and can be arranged in an infinite number of ways. Each domino has a unique marking that indicates its identity. The other face is blank or identically patterned to the identifying mark, and this is the side that is typically laid down on a domino game board. The word domino also refers to a series of events or actions that have a wide impact, or a chain reaction.
Dominoes are cousins of playing cards and have been a popular gaming device for over 500 years. From professional dominoes competition to a simple setup to be knocked over, they offer many opportunities for entertainment and testing of skill and patience. Originally, the markings on dominoes (known as pips) represented the results of throwing two six-sided dice. The European versions of dominoes added seven more marks, which represent additional outcomes. These different marks allow for a multitude of games to be played with a single set of dominoes, and the game is often enjoyed by entire families.
In modern usage, the term domino is most often used to describe a series of events or actions that have wide impact. For example, when a company announces an increase in prices for its products or services, the price increases are expected to ripple through the market and affect other companies’ offerings as well. This is called the domino effect, and it can be both good and bad for consumers.
The domino effect is often used in the context of politics and economics to describe a situation where one event has a chain reaction that causes other related events to occur. For instance, the collapse of several large banks following the collapse of Bear Stearns caused a domino effect that led to the failure of numerous smaller financial institutions.
A domino effect is sometimes used in the context of relationships and interpersonal interactions as a way to describe a pattern of behavior that leads to negative consequences. For example, if a person is constantly late for work and never calls to explain, it may cause his or her coworkers to assume that the individual is irresponsible. This could lead to a downward spiral in performance, as coworkers are less likely to trust this person with important assignments.
An example of a domino effect is a chain of events that result in the loss or theft of property. For example, a person who has been repeatedly caught shoplifting at a store is more likely to be denied employment in the future by other employers. This could cause the person to lose money and possibly have other financial problems as a result. These issues could affect the person’s family and home life as well, causing further issues down the line. A domino effect can be very difficult to stop once it starts.