The art of depicting nature as it is seen by toads. The charm suffusing a landscape painted by a mole, or a story written by a measuring-worm.
(also: real life)
(also: The Devil's Dictionary)
The general body of what one reads. In our country it consists, as a rule, of Indiana novels, short stories in "dialect" and humor in slang.
We know by one's reading
His learning and breeding;
By what draws his laughter
We know his Hereafter.
Read nothing, laugh never —
The Sphinx was less clever!
—Jupiter Muke
(also: The Devil's Dictionary)
We know by one's reading
His learning and breeding;
By what draws his laughter
We know his Hereafter.
Read nothing, laugh never —
The Sphinx was less clever!
—Jupiter Muke
(also: The Devil's Dictionary)
To get the sense of something written, if it has any.Commonly, it has not.
(also: reading)
(also: The Devil's Dictionary)
(also: reading)
(also: The Devil's Dictionary)
The radius of action of the human hand. The area within which it is possible (and customary) to gratify directly the propensity to provide.
This is a truth, as old as the hills,
That life and experience teach:
The poor man suffers that keenest of ills,
An impediment in his reach.
—G.J.
(also: The Devil's Dictionary)
This is a truth, as old as the hills,
That life and experience teach:
The poor man suffers that keenest of ills,
An impediment in his reach.
—G.J.
(also: The Devil's Dictionary)
An instrument used by the Caucasian to enhance his beauty, by the Mongolian to make a guy of himself and by the Afro-American to affirm his worth.
(also: racism)
(also: The Devil's Dictionary)
(also: racism)
(also: The Devil's Dictionary)
Our prostrate brother, Homo ventrambulans.
(also: The Devil's Dictionary)
(also: The Devil's Dictionary)
Devoid of all delusions save those of observation, experience and reflection.
(also: The Devil's Dictionary)
(also: The Devil's Dictionary)
Insensible to the value of our advice.
"Now lay your bet with mine, nor let
These gamblers take your cash."
"Nay, this child makes no bet." "Great snakes!
How can you be so rash?"
—Bootle P. Gish
(also: The Devil's Dictionary)
"Now lay your bet with mine, nor let
These gamblers take your cash."
"Nay, this child makes no bet." "Great snakes!
How can you be so rash?"
—Bootle P. Gish
(also: The Devil's Dictionary)
Stupidity militant. The activity of a clouded intellect.
(also: Stupid)
(also: rascal)
(also: The Devil's Dictionary)
(also: Stupid)
(also: rascal)
(also: The Devil's Dictionary)
A Welsh rabbit, in the speech of the humorless, who point out that it is not a rabbit. To whom it may be solemnly explained that the comestible known as toad-in-a-hole is really not a toad, and that riz-de-veau à la financière is not the smile of a calf prepared after the recipe of a she banker.
(also: humor)
(also: The Devil's Dictionary)
(also: humor)
(also: The Devil's Dictionary)
The purchase of that which neither belongs to the seller, nor can belong to the buyer. The most unprofitable of investments.
(also: The Devil's Dictionary)
(also: The Devil's Dictionary)
Relative elevation in the scale of human worth.
He held at court a rank so high
That other noblemen asked why.
"Because," 'twas answered, "others lack
His skill to scratch the royal back."
—Aramis Jukes
(also: governing people)
(also: The Devil's Dictionary)
He held at court a rank so high
That other noblemen asked why.
"Because," 'twas answered, "others lack
His skill to scratch the royal back."
—Aramis Jukes
(also: governing people)
(also: The Devil's Dictionary)
Pertaining to a certain order of architecture, otherwise known as the Normal American. Most of the public buildings of the United States are of the Ramshackle order, though some of our earlier architects preferred the Ironic. Recent additions to the White House in Washington are Theo-Doric, the ecclesiastic order of the Dorians. They are exceedingly fine and cost one hundred dollars a brick.
(also: america)
(also: The Devil's Dictionary)
(also: america)
(also: The Devil's Dictionary)
The chief of many mechanical devices enabling us to get away from where we are to where we are no better off. For this purpose the railroad is held in highest favor by the optimist, for it permits him to make the transit with great expedition.
(also: bypasses)
(also: The Devil's Dictionary)
(also: bypasses)
(also: The Devil's Dictionary)
The uniform of the poor, serving to distinguish these creatures from their creators.
(also: poor)
(also: The Devil's Dictionary)
(also: poor)
(also: The Devil's Dictionary)
A mineral that gives off heat and stimulates the organ that a scientist is a fool with.
(also: The Devil's Dictionary)
(also: The Devil's Dictionary)
The conservatism of to-morrow injected into the affairs of to-day.
(also: radical)
(also: governing people)
(also: The Devil's Dictionary)
(also: radical)
(also: governing people)
(also: The Devil's Dictionary)
A miscreant who would forestall the future by discrediting the past and abolishing the present.
(also: The Devil's Dictionary)
(also: The Devil's Dictionary)
sign-up or face the consequences!
“"observers" must obey the call.”
join