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.

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.

ACCUSE, v.t.  To affirm another's guilt or unworth; most commonly as a

justification of ourselves for having wronged him.

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.

ABSOLUTE, adj.  Independent, irresponsible.  An absolute monarchy is

one in which the sovereign does as he pleases so long as he pleases

the assassins.  Not many absolute monarchies are left, most of them

having been replaced by limited monarchies, where the sovereign's

power for evil (and for good) is greatly curtailed, and by republics,

which are governed by chance.

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.

ABRUPT, adj.  Sudden, without ceremony, like the arrival of a cannon-
shot and the departure of the soldier whose interests are most affected by it.