Exposed to a mutable ownership through vicissitudes of possession.
His light estate, if neither he did make it
Nor yet its former guardian forsake it,
Is portable improperty, I take it.
—Worgum Slupsky
(also: The Devil's Dictionary)
A place where ships taking shelter from storms are shattered by customs officers.
(also: ship)
(also: The Devil's Dictionary)
(also: ship)
(also: The Devil's Dictionary)
A fossil patriot of the early agricultural period, found in the old red soapstone underlying Kansas; characterized by an uncommon spread of ear, which some naturalists contend gave him the power of flight, though Professors Morse and Whitney, pursuing independent lines of thought, have ingeniously pointed out that had he possessed it he would have gone elsewhere. In the picturesque speech of his period, some fragments of which have come down to us, he was known as "The Matter with Kansas."
(also: The Devil's Dictionary)
(also: The Devil's Dictionary)
A house of atonement, or expiatory chapel, fitted with several stools of repentance, as distinguished from monogamy, which has but one.
(also: marriage)
(also: The Devil's Dictionary)
(also: marriage)
(also: The Devil's Dictionary)
A strife of interests masquerading as a contest of principles. The conduct of public affairs for private advantage.
(also: governing people)
(also: The Devil's Dictionary)
(also: governing people)
(also: The Devil's Dictionary)
An eel in the fundamental mud upon which the superstructure of organized society is reared. When he wriggles he mistakes the agitation of his tail for the trembling of the edifice. As compared with the statesman, he suffers the disadvantage of being alive.
(also: governing people)
(also: The Devil's Dictionary)
(also: governing people)
(also: The Devil's Dictionary)
The most acceptable hypocrisy.
(also: The Devil's Dictionary)
(also: The Devil's Dictionary)
Skilled in the art and practice of dissimulation.
(also: The Devil's Dictionary)
(also: The Devil's Dictionary)
A small European animal that is kind enough to lend its name to the American tongue as a euphemism for that of the native skunk, than which it is esteemed more genteel. Like the skunk, however, it makes music for the deaf when kicked.
(also: The Devil's Dictionary)
(also: The Devil's Dictionary)
A game said to be played with cards for some purpose to this lexicographer unknown.
(also: The Devil's Dictionary)
(also: The Devil's Dictionary)
A form of expression peculiar to the Land beyond the Magazines.
(also: The Devil's Dictionary)
(also: The Devil's Dictionary)
The cradle of motive and the grave of conscience. In woman this organ is lacking; so she acts without motive, and her conscience, denied burial, remains ever alive, confessing the sins of others.
(also: The Devil's Dictionary)
(also: The Devil's Dictionary)
A republican form of government deriving its powers from the conceit of the governed — in thinking they govern.
(also: The Devil's Dictionary)
(also: The Devil's Dictionary)
Government by those who are wise in personal property and good in real estate.
(also: The Devil's Dictionary)
(also: The Devil's Dictionary)
To take the property of another without observing the decent and customary reticences of theft. To effect a change of ownership with the candid concomitance of a brass band. To wrest the wealth of A from B and leave C lamenting a vanished opportunity.
(also: valhalla calling me)
(also: my mother told me)
(also: bad parents)
(also: The Devil's Dictionary)
(also: valhalla calling me)
(also: my mother told me)
(also: bad parents)
(also: The Devil's Dictionary)
An implement that cries aloud for hands accustomed to the pen.
(also: The Devil's Dictionary)
(also: The Devil's Dictionary)
An army of words escorting a corporal of thought.
(also: The Devil's Dictionary)
(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)
(also: The Devil's Dictionary)
A popular vote to ascertain the will of the sovereign.
(also: The Devil's Dictionary)
(also: The Devil's Dictionary)
sign-up or face the consequences!
“"observers" must obey the call.”
join