(1845 – 1923) German physicist who discovered electromagnetic waves or X-rays.
(also: 100 most influential people in the world)
(also: wilhelm conrad roentgen quotes)

(1542-1604) third ruler of the mughal empire, which was based in india but whose ruling class was persian. akbar was a fascinating study in contradictions; although illiterate (possibly dyslexic), he was a patron of intellectuals and philosophers. although an accomplished military leader in a land of sectarian conflict, he promoted peace and understanding between his muslim and hindu subjects

under his rule, the mughal empire grew to encompass much of india, and reached a golden age characterized by unimaginable heights of prosperity. then everything just sort of fell apart after he died. ah well.

no, he was not a space squid, and he did not help destroy the death star

WASHINGTONIAN, n. A Potomac tribesman who exchanged the privilege of governing himself for the advantage of good government. In justice to him it should be said that he did not want to.

---

They took away his vote and gave instead
The right, when he had earned, to eat his bread.
In vain — he clamors for his "boss," pour soul,
To come again and part him from his roll.
—Offenbach Stutz

(also: The Devil's Dictionary)

(n.) one who sees to the care and cleanliness of a building. the keeper of hidden broom, wielder of the sawdust of arnor. into his boiler room, you shall not pass.

I'm Spartacus

(n.) a filthy, poorly-dressed, drugged up young person who spends his time reading incomprehensible stream-of-consciousness poetry in some dingy coffee shop basement.

they were a major source of parental alarm in the 50s and 60s until they were replaced by hippies

(1642 – 1727) – British mathematician and scientist.
(also: isaac newton quotes)
(also: 100 most influential people in the world)

Government by those who are wise in personal property and good in real estate.
(also: The Devil's Dictionary)

(n.) person you live with who refuses to admit that they snore and never seems to know what they want for dinner.

the final evolved-form of a boyfriend or girlfriend (or less gender-specific significant other); often distinguishable from the early forms by the additional 25-30 pounds.

The 947th method (according to Mimbleshaw's classification) of obtaining money by false pretences. It consists in "reading character" in the wrinkles made by closing the hand. The pretence is not altogether false; character can really be read very accurately in this way, for the wrinkles in every hand submitted plainly spell the word "dupe." The imposture consists in not reading it aloud.
(also: The Devil's Dictionary)

Having full power. A Minister Plenipotentiary is a diplomatist possessing absolute authority on condition that he never exert it.
(also: The Devil's Dictionary)

In literary affairs, to become the fundamental element in a cone of critics.

meat from an animal that was happy to be slaughtered

"Logopoeia, my dear friend, is a fancy word for the magic of words. It's what happens when language gets together with the mind and puts on a show that would make Shakespeare green with envy. Think of it as a linguistic firework display exploding with meaning and creating a beautiful mess of thoughts and emotions.

Words have rhythm they have pace, and when used correctly they can take you on a journey to the furthest reaches of the imagination. Logopoeia is when words do just that, when they dance across the page, tapping their toes and waving their arms in the air, creating a symphony of sound and sense.

So, next time you come across a piece of writing that makes your heart sing, that makes you laugh out loud or that just leaves you feeling completely bewildered, remember that it's all thanks to the power of Logopoeia."

See Also: Poetry, Prose, Rhetoric, Phonaesthetics."

(n.) a merry-go-round; a carnival attraction consisting of a large round gazebo, rotating slowly as it emits menacing calliope music, and filled with petrified and impaled animals on which merrymakers are invited to ride.

A conspiracy between speech and action to cheat the understanding. A tyranny tempered by stenography.

n. One skilled in circumvention of the law.


(also: The Devil's Dictionary)

(1822 – 1884) Czech/Austrian scientist and friar – who founded modern science of genetics.
(also: 100 most influential people in the world)
(also: gregor mendel quotes)

(n.) a thing to be kept the hell away from me. no, seriously. put me within a yard of that thing and I'm not liable for whatever happens to you during my evacuation.

A sign that something will happen if nothing happens.