galloping dominoes: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very lowSlang / Humorous / Archaic
Quick answer
What does “galloping dominoes” mean?
A dated or jocular slang term for dice, especially when being thrown or used in gambling.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A dated or jocular slang term for dice, especially when being thrown or used in gambling.
A humorous or colloquial way to refer to dice, often evoking the image of them tumbling or 'galloping' across a surface, and their spots ('pips') resembling dominoes.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant geographical difference in meaning or usage. The term is equally rare and stylised in both varieties.
Connotations
Connotes a playful, old-fashioned, or slightly raffish tone, often associated with gambling contexts from earlier eras.
Frequency
Extremely rare in contemporary use in both dialects. Might appear in historical fiction, humorous writing, or as a conscious archaism.
Grammar
How to Use “galloping dominoes” in a Sentence
[subject] + roll/shake/rattle + the galloping dominoesthe + galloping dominoes + clatter/roll + [prepositional phrase]Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Only potentially in historical or linguistic studies of slang.
Everyday
Virtually never used in modern everyday conversation. Could be used for deliberate humorous effect.
Technical
Not used.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “galloping dominoes”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “galloping dominoes”
- Using it in formal writing.
- Using it as if it were a standard, contemporary term.
- Confusing it with the game of dominoes.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a very rare, archaic, and stylised slang term. You will almost never encounter it in modern English.
No. It refers specifically to dice. The game is simply called 'dominoes'.
It's a metaphorical description of the way dice tumble and bounce rapidly across a surface when thrown.
Primarily in historical fiction, humorous writing about gambling, or as an example of colourful archaic slang in dictionaries.
A dated or jocular slang term for dice, especially when being thrown or used in gambling.
Galloping dominoes is usually slang / humorous / archaic in register.
Galloping dominoes: in British English it is pronounced /ˈɡæləpɪŋ ˈdɒmɪnəʊz/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈɡæləpɪŋ ˈdɑːmənoʊz/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Let the galloping dominoes decide.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a herd of small, spotted dominoes (like tiles) galloping like horses across a craps table.
Conceptual Metaphor
DICE ARE ANIMATE OBJECTS (that gallop); DICE ARE DOMINOES (by visual similarity of spots/pips).
Practice
Quiz
"Galloping dominoes" is best described as: