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)

A mark impressed upon certain kinds of documents to attest their authenticity and authority. Sometimes it is stamped upon wax, and attached to the paper, sometimes into the paper itself. Sealing, in this sense, is a survival of an ancient custom of inscribing important papers with cabalistic words or signs to give them a magical efficacy independent of the authority that they represent. In the British museum are preserved many ancient papers, mostly of a sacerdotal character, validated by necromantic pentagrams and other devices, frequently initial letters of words to conjure with; and in many instances these are attached in the same way that seals are appended now. As nearly every reasonless and apparently meaningless custom, rite or observance of modern times had origin in some remote utility, it is pleasing to note an example of ancient nonsense evolving in the process of ages into something really useful. Our word "sincere" is derived from sine cero, without wax, but the learned are not in agreement as to whether this refers to the absence of the cabalistic signs, or to that of the wax with which letters were formerly closed from public scrutiny. Either view of the matter will serve one in immediate need of an hypothesis. The initials L. S., commonly appended to signatures of legal documents, mean locum sigillis, the place of the seal, although the seal is no longer used — an admirable example of conservatism distinguishing Man from the beasts that perish. The words locum sigillis are humbly suggested as a suitable motto for the Pribyloff Islands whenever they shall take their place as a sovereign State of the American Union.

(also: The Devil's Dictionary)

(n.) to utilize the element of surprise by avoiding prying eyes, so as to victimize, barbarize, and cut-down-to-size one's enemize

see also ambuscado, bacon tree

(n.) a larger arthropod and cousin of the spider. Not as widely feared, despite the fact that it comes with far more built in weapons

a very big and pointy rock that thrusts upwards from the surface of the earth, as though a magnificent pimple or blackhead on our planet's glorious face. i guess the sinkholes are sweat glands, or something. but never mind.

the climbing of a mountain is sometimes considered a form of recreation, evidently because it's there

(n.) 1) a foul play in the grand game of civilization. 2) that which cannot be further discussed without the consultation of a lawyer.

that dance people from russia do with the squatting and the kicking and the "hey, hey, hey, hey!"

it is vital to bear in mind the two essential credos of the prisiadki dancer: one, we don't need no drugs cuz folk dancing is our drug. two, once you go cossack you never go back.

Bunion of soviet union
(also: onion)

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

definitive
(also: guide)

the last year

(also: year)

Greek poet who wrote Iliad and Odyssey
(also: 100 most influential people in the world)
(also: homer quotes)

socially scarce, and thus socially valuable

(n.) not quite a friend and not quite an enemy; someone with whom one is in regular and direct competition, but not enough to want them dead.

One who approaches Greatness on his belly so that he may not be commanded to turn and be kicked. He is sometimes an editor.

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As the lean leech, its victim found, is pleased
To fix itself upon a part diseased
Till, its black hide distended with bad blood,
It drops to die of surfeit in the mud,
So the base sycophant with joy descries
His neighbor's weak spot and his mouth applies,
Gorges and prospers like the leech, although,
Unlike that reptile, he will not let go.
Gelasma, if it paid you to devote
Your talent to the service of a goat,
Showing by forceful logic that its beard
Is more than Aaron's fit to be revered;
If to the task of honoring its smell
Profit had prompted you, and love as well,
The world would benefit at last by you
And wealthy malefactors weep anew —
Your favor for a moment's space denied
And to the nobler object turned aside.
Is't not enough that thrifty millionaires
Who loot in freight and spoliate in fares,
Or, cursed with consciences that bid them fly
To safer villainies of darker dye,
Forswearing robbery and fain, instead,
To steal (they call it "cornering") our bread
May see you groveling their boots to lick
And begging for the favor of a kick?
Still must you follow to the bitter end
Your sycophantic disposition's trend,
And in your eagerness to please the rich
Hunt hungry sinners to their final ditch?
In Morgan's praise you smite the sounding wire,
And sing hosannas to great Havemeyer!
What's Satan done that him you should eschew?
He too is reeking rich — deducting you.

(n.)as holy author said (eref: #70)

We are not experiencing what 3nd person from scientific articles, says. Philosophers and scientists still discussing about it.


(also: colour)

adj. The comparative degree of too much.

(also: The Devil's Dictionary)

a sexually transmitted infection in which a parasite grows inside, and after about 3/4 of a year, emerges, causing extreme pain. It is recommended that one goes to the hospital to be attended to when the parasite emerges.

(1578 – 3 June 1657) English physician who made contributions to understanding how blood circulated in the body.
(also: 100 most influential people in the world)
(also: william harvey quotes)

To dine.

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Hail, Gastronome, Apostle of Excess,
Well skilled to overeat without distress!
Thy great invention, the unfatal feast,
Shows Man's superiority to Beast.
—John Boop