Many people are familiar with the game domino, a set of small rectangular wood or plastic blocks that can be stacked on end in long lines. When one domino is tipped over, it causes the next domino in line to tip, and so on. A series of these falls can create very complex designs. Some people use dominoes to play games, while others like to make art out of them. The word “domino” comes from a Latin word meaning “fall.” The phrase is often used to describe something that happens suddenly and with dramatic consequences.
Dominoes are also a popular toy, and children love to set them up in straight or curved lines, then flick them to see the entire line fall. Many adults, too, enjoy making domino art, either by creating intricate grids that form pictures when they fall or by building 3D structures such as towers or pyramids. You can find some great examples of domino art online.
There are also a number of different domino games, most of which involve blocking or scoring points. Some of the most popular include a game called draw-and-pass, in which each player takes turns drawing and then placing a domino to block or score points. This game is particularly popular with students because it teaches hand-eye coordination.
Other domino games feature matching, counting, or forming patterns. Some of these games are adaptations of card games, and they were once popular in some areas as a way to circumvent religious prohibitions against playing cards. There are even domino games that are played without any other players at all!
The term “domino” is sometimes used to refer to a person who has the power to stop or influence a group of people. A famous example of this occurred in the United States during the civil rights movement when some leaders used their influence to encourage other people to speak out against segregation.
Dominos are commonly made out of ivory, silver lip ocean pearl oyster shell (mother of pearl), or a dark hardwood such as ebony. In recent years, domino sets have been made from a wide variety of materials, including natural stone (such as marble, granite, or soapstone); metals; ceramic clay; and even frosted glass. While these sets may not be as durable as traditional dominoes, they often have a more unique appearance and feel heavier than polymer-based models.
In addition to being fun to play, domino can be a powerful tool for writers. The concept of the domino effect can help authors explain how a single action or decision can have such a large impact on a character and the world around them.
When a writer uses the domino effect, she must ensure that her reader is able to follow the logic of her scene. If the scene goes against what most readers think is logical, the domino effect will fail. For instance, if a character does something immoral, such as shooting a stranger, then the writer must provide sufficient motivation and/or reasons to allow her readers to accept this outside-of-the-norm behavior.