"The dismal science" is a derogatory alternative name for economics coined by the Scottish historian Thomas Carlyle in the 19th century (originally in the context of his argument to reintroduce slavery in the West Indies). The term drew a contrast with the then-familiar use of the phrase "gay science" to refer to song and verse writing. The latter phrase later appeared as the title of a book by Friedrich Nietzsche, The Gay Science. Some modern synonyms include the term "the miserable science".