Bierce, Ambrose
Description
The wonderful classic dictionary with the definitions you know are true. For example:
ABSTAINER, n. A weak person who yields to the temptation of deny
...
ing himself a pleasure. A total abstainer is one who abstains from everything but abstention, and especially from inactivity in the affairs of others.
CLAIRVOYANT, n. A person, commonly a woman, who has the power of seeing that which is invisible to her patron, namely, that he is a blockhead.
CLERGYMAN, n. A man who undertakes the management of our spiritual affairs as a method of bettering his temporal ones.
CRITIC, n. A person who boasts himself hard to please because no-body tries to please him.
EGOTIST, n. A person of low taste, more interested in himself than in me.
PATIENCE, n. A minor form of despair, disguised as a virtue.
RESIDENT, adj. Unable to leave.
You'll be unable to stop laughing, or nodding in agreement. The definitions still hold true today. You need this book on your shelf.
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