Use of 'Genius' in Nicholas Nickleby? In _Nicholas Nickleby_ , people use the word "genius" to describe people they don't even know and in such a way that I do not believe it has the same meaning as we now use it with. For instance, Mr Crowl says the following in Chapter 15: > "and I'll tell you what's more-I think these two geniuses, whoever they are,..." This is not the only time I have come across the word used strangely; however, I have also read it used as we use it now: describing someone of exceptional intellectual or creative power or other natural ability. What is Dickens's meaning when he uses it in this other way?

He appears to be using it in a sarcastic manner. He is saying that they are _so stupid_ , that he'll call them geniuses. It's like when someone says:

"Washington DC is the capital of the United States?"
"Yes, you genius!"

You don't mean that they are _actually_ super smart.

In this case,

> and I'll tell you what's more-I think these two geniuses, whoever they are,...

Could be saying the same thing as

> and I'll tell you what's more-I think these two idiots, whoever they are,..."

Disclaimer: I haven't read this book. This is based off of the question alone.