The Devil's Dictionary: Dog

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For the unitiated, The Devil's Dictionary is a satirical reference book written by Ambrose Bierce. The book offers reinterpretations of terms in the English language, lampooning cant and political doublespeak. It was originally published in 1906 as The Cynic's Word Book before being retitled in 1911. (Wiki)



Dog, n. A kind of additional or subsidiary Deity designed to catch the overflow and surplus of the world's worship. This Divine Being in some of his smaller and silkier incarnations takes, in the affection of Woman, the place to which there is no human male aspirant. The Dog is a survival—an anachronism. He toils not, neither does he spin, yet Solomon in all his glory never lay upon a door-mat all day long, sun-soaked and fly-fed and fat, while his master worked for the means wherewith to purchase the idle wag of the Solomonic tail, seasoned with a look of tolerant recognition.

[Flaxbee]

1. I can't find my copy of the Devil's Dictionary...

some of the entries are really, really funny.

:hi: - thanks for reminding me about it!

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4. My pleasure!

I have it as a gadget on my iGoogle page. I get random entries about twice or three times a day. There are way too few out there that are acquainted with Bierce--a shame.

[struggle4progress]

2. PRESIDENT, n. The leading figure in a small group of men of whom — and of whom only — it is

positively known that immense numbers of their countrymen did not want any of them for President.

http://www.thedevilsdictionary.com/?P

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7. Sort of what we could see Mark Twain saying outloud! eom

[RandomThoughts]

3. Dog is something easy to train and does what it is told.

Can be affectionate but out of loyalty. Hence a dog can be mislead many times, and as usually subservient without having discernment, but also without fault, since it is a knowledge issue not an intent issue.

[trackfan]

5. Happiness, n. An agreeable sensation arising from

contemplating the misery of another.

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6. Gee, that was me earlier today

seeing a pic of Cheney at the ceremony today. A warm pleasant feeling filled me as I saw his ugly image, "wasting away" to nothing, slowly but surely.

[dimbear]

8. Bierce is a fascinating character study.

Like many another semi-mythical figure, he is never known to have died. Just wandered off to Mexico and was never heard from again.