Return of the Devil

Ambrose Bierce’s Devil’s Dictionary is a classic of satire and literary innovation published in 1911. Every day The Crystal Ship will bring to you one word from this most witty of lexicons. Don’t say I never do anything for your betterment.

ACQUAINTANCE, n.  A person whom we know well enough to borrow from,

but not well enough to lend to.  A degree of friendship called slight

when its object is poor or obscure, and intimate when he is rich or

famous.