The Devil's Dictionary — Ambrose Bierce

The Devil's Dictionary

Ambrose Bierce · רישיון: Public domain · מקור

• What though of all man's works your tomb alone Should stand till Time himself be overthrown? Would it advantage you to dwell therein Forever as a stain upon a stone? ¶1744
• WORSHIP, n. Homo Creator's testimony to the sound construction and fine finish of Deus Creatus. A popular form of abjection, having an element of pride. ¶1746
• YANKEE, n. In Europe, an American. In the Northern States of our Union, a New Englander. In the Southern States the word is unknown. (See DAMNYANK.) ¶1751
• YEAR, n. A period of three hundred and sixty-five disappointments. ¶1752
• YESTERDAY, n. The infancy of youth, the youth of manhood, the entire past of age. ¶1753
• It is said that in his last illness the poet Arnegriff was attended at different times by seven doctors. ¶1756
• YOKE, n. An implement, madam, to whose Latin name, _jugum_, we owe one of the most illuminating words in our language--a word that defines the matrimonial situation with precision, point and poignancy. A thousand apologies for withholding it. ¶1757
• YOUTH, n. The Period of Possibility, when Archimedes finds a fulcrum, Cassandra has a following and seven cities compete for the honor of endowing a living Homer. ¶1758
• ZEAL, n. A certain nervous disorder afflicting the young and inexperienced. A passion that goeth before a sprawl. ¶1764
• When Zeal sought Gratitude for his reward He went away exclaiming: "O my Lord!" "What do you want?" the Lord asked, bending down. "An ointment for my cracked and bleeding crown." ¶1765
• ZIGZAG, v.t. To move forward uncertainly, from side to side, as one carrying the white man's burden. (From _zed_, _z_, and _jag_, an Icelandic word of unknown meaning.) ¶1769
• He zedjagged so uncomen wyde Thet non coude pas on eyder syde; So, to com saufly thruh, I been Constreynet for to doodge betwene. ¶1770

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