Domino, which comes from the Latin word for dominion or control, has long carried a strong sense of authoritativeness. It’s a common first name that conveys a sense of competence, and it appears on businesses, organizations, and products that seek to project an image of mastery and proficiency. It’s even used as a slang term for a dominating or manipulative person.
In addition to its use as a name, domino is a symbol of the idea that one small action can have major consequences, often with little warning. This principle is the basis of a well-known saying: “if you kick off a domino effect, it could be catastrophic.”
The domino is a rectangular tile, normally twice as wide as it is tall. Each side of the domino features a line that divides it visually into two squares, with the identity-bearing side bearing an arrangement of spots, called pips, and the other blank or identically patterned. The sum of the pips on both sides is the value of the domino, and the values range from six to zero.
Dominoes are stacked on end in long lines to form structures called domino sets. The tops of each domino are spaced so that when the first one is tipped over, it triggers the tipping of all of the other dominoes in the set. This can be done in a variety of ways to create very complex designs. Domino sets can be played by two or more people.
In the world of fiction, writers often refer to the idea of a domino effect when describing how one event leads to another, or how one choice makes an impact on multiple situations. It’s easy to see the analogy in a novel: each scene is like a domino, and when one scene impacts the next, it naturally influences the outcome. Whether you write your novel off the cuff or carefully outline each chapter, keeping in mind the idea of the domino effect can help you craft a compelling story.
Hevesh is a professional domino artist who builds spectacular displays for film, TV shows, and events. She also creates her own YouTube videos showing how her amazing creations work. Hevesh makes sure each section of her domino display works perfectly before putting them all together. This process takes several nail-biting minutes, but she knows the results will be worth it.