Julius Caesar said the words "the die is cast" (or rather he said it in Latin: "jacta alea est!") when he crossed the river Rubicon.
This river was the boundary between ancient Italy and the province of Cisalpine Gaul. When Julius Caesar crossed the river in 49 B.C., he passed beyond the limits of his province of Cisalpine Gaul and became an invader in Italy, thus starting a war with Pompey and the Senate of Rome.
Caesar used the phrase as a metaphor to express the fact that he had crossed the river, and there was no going back.
Of course, "die" denotes the singular and "dice" the plural - so, if you wish to be grammatically correct, you should never speak of "a dice". But many people do.
While I am on the subject, do you have any "dangly bits"? (In your car)
Like this:
Years ago my driving instructor told me to beware of cars displaying hanging things, because the drivers are usually frivolous and erratic, and it obstructs their view.
What do you think?
