micawber principle
Word Rarity
Very rare
Frequency: Zipf frequency 1.78 in modern English
32
Scrabble Score
17
Letters
5
Syllables
11
Unique Chars
Meaning
noun
The claim that something good will turn up, especially when used to justify optimism.
Example Sentences
- "Acting on the Micawber principle of always expecting 'something to turn up,' he is ever on the watch, and the way that at times 'he gets to a catch' is wonderful."
- "Now, the Colonial Treasurer proposes to deal with that deficit very much in the same way that private individuals deal with inconvenient liabilities—that is to say, by having recourse to paper, on the Micawber principle, with a "Thank God, that's done with!""
- "The Micawber Principle was weaker down here than up in the capital. But still and all: something might turn up."
- "In such extreme conditions, the Micawber Principle that “something will turn up” to save the system is the only reasonable basis for action by businesses and investors, even if no one can predict exactly what deus ex machina will appear to save the day."
- "The Micawber principle is clearly basically an aspect of the crude growth maximisation approach. The underlying idea is that underfulfilment, even by a fraction, should be perceived as something essentially shameful."
- "The Micawber principle—it is not the level of income and outgo but their relationship that matters—is essential to budgeting."
Etymology
From the Dickens character Wilkins Micawber, noted for his inability to work his way out of poverty. Two of his enunciations have become elevated to "principles": * "Something will turn up." * "Annual income twenty pounds, annual expenditure nineteen pounds nineteen and six, result happiness. Annual income twenty pounds, annual expenditure twenty pounds nought and six, result misery."