The Dismal Science

Pronunciation: /ðə ˈdɪzməl ˈsaɪəns/

Definitions of the dismal science

noun A word that represents a person, place, thing, or idea.

Example Sentences

A1 Economics is often referred to as the dismal science.

A2 Many students find the dismal science of economics to be quite challenging.

B1 Despite its reputation as the dismal science, economics plays a crucial role in shaping our society.

B2 The dismal science of economics can help us understand complex global issues.

C1 Critics argue that the dismal science fails to account for the human element in economic decision-making.

C2 Some economists embrace the label of the dismal science as a reminder of the field's limitations and challenges.

Examples of the dismal science in a Sentence

formal Economics is often referred to as the dismal science due to its focus on scarcity and resource allocation.

informal They call economics the dismal science because it's all about money and numbers.

slang Econ is known as the dismal science because it's all about that cash flow.

figurative To some, economics is the dismal science because it can be quite depressing to analyze the distribution of wealth.

Grammatical Forms of the dismal science

• plural: the dismal sciences
• comparative: more dismal science
• superlative: most dismal science
• present tense: is the dismal science
• future tense: will be the dismal science
• perfect tense: has been the dismal science
• continuous tense: is being the dismal science
• singular: the dismal science
• positive degree: dismal science
• infinitive: to be the dismal science
• gerund: being the dismal science
• participle: the dismal science

Origin and Evolution of the dismal science

First Known Use: 1849 year

Language of Origin: English

Story behind the word: The term 'the dismal science' was coined by Scottish writer and historian Thomas Carlyle in his 1849 essay criticizing the economic theories of Thomas Malthus and John Stuart Mill.

Evolution of the word: Originally used as a derogatory term to criticize the pessimistic views of economists, the term has evolved to be used more broadly to refer to the field of economics itself.