Initially a weekly feature in an American newspaper in 1881, "The Devil's Dictionary" was continued with some intervals until 1906, when it was first published as "The Cynic's Word Book". Typical entries include: 'fly', a monster of the air owing allegiance to Beelzebub; 'kill', to create a vacacy without nominating a successor; and 'rhubarb', vegetable essence of stomach ache. A humorous perspective of the English language at the turn of the 20th century, the book has a new introduction to give a modern view of the book and its importance in literature.
The Devil's Dictionary
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Roy Morris, Jr., is the editor of America's Civil War and the author of Ambrose Bierce: Alone in Bad Company and Sheridan: The Life and Wars of General Phil Sheridan. He lives in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful
By A. Peters
Format:Paperback
I have found that this dictionary can serve a number of purposes. It can sit on your bookcase and look interesting, you can read it (in which case you'll probably burst out laughing on occasion) and you can learn parts of it to use as wit in conversation.
The last is the most entertaining and this book is packed full of wit (or maybe just honesty).
So buy it, and buy it now.
38 of 40 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
This book is actually as devilish as it looks. I have burst into laughter many times while reading it. The definitions are really creative and shows that the author was very good at observing everything going around him. It tells the truth about the meaning of words, but always with a sense of humour, which they deserve. This dictionary is very entertaining, provocative and, yes, realistic. Mr.Bierce is not afraid to say what the others would not and that is always something I like in an author. It is physically thin but mentally thick, that is, it will provoke you to reconsider the definitions you have in your mind. It is both fun and an eye-opener. Probably the most entertaining dictionary in the world.
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
Originally this started off as small pieces in a newspaper, but over the years as it gradually grew it was compiled into a book. This edition does have an active table of contents, but for some unkonwn reason it doesn't come up on the go to menu, so click on beginning, and go back one page.
I know that a lot of people are aware of this 'dictionary' and what it is, but for those who aren't, Ambrose Bierce compiled an original dictionary and used his sense of humour in saying what words mean. For example marriage is 'the state or condition of a community of a master, mistress and two slaves, making in all, two.'
It is the blend of such cynicism and his satire which has made this a classic.
I know that a lot of people are aware of this 'dictionary' and what it is, but for those who aren't, Ambrose Bierce compiled an original dictionary and used his sense of humour in saying what words mean. For example marriage is 'the state or condition of a community of a master, mistress and two slaves, making in all, two.'
It is the blend of such cynicism and his satire which has made this a classic.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By Carol P
Format:Kindle Edition
I'm still looking for a decently produced (and inexpensive)version of this classic - and this one isn't it, albeit free; the problem is navigation, mainly, needing hundreds of clicks to get from A-Z. There is little spacing and the text used to denote quotes is big and ugly. The search goes on...
9 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
The wit flows freely from this volume, and is sharp and astute. It's good for a laugh and, best of all, so cheap. Just the sort of thing you need when you're less than a pound away from qualifying for free shipping.
By jeff g
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
This was downloaded for nothing, so cannot complain. The books that are available for free download are not up to date or best sellers, but there are some good classics and books of interest. Worth looking through for what's on offer !
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
This is a publication that you can delve into from time to time and always come up with an amusing and clever definition that whilst a spoof generally hits the mark.
e.g. POLITENESS -The most acceptable hypocrasy.
TWICE- Once too often.
Highly recommended
e.g. POLITENESS -The most acceptable hypocrasy.
TWICE- Once too often.
Highly recommended
By fonziedog
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
this is a strange book. The writer gives many definitions of ordinary words and quotations from other writers that are not funny at all, at least not to a 21st century reader. However others are very amusing and satirical and could be used today. As the book is free, read it and make your own mind up, but I would recommend it.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
calls a spade a spade
This book doesn`t really need a review as its a well known classic. The definitions are a little different but very observant and down to earth.
Published 8 months ago by Mr. Nicholas Wright
4.0 out of 5 stars
The Devil's Dictionary
I'm a fan of old literature and have heard about this book. It is racy (for it's day) and is a must for all scholars of archaic writing. Read more
Published 10 months ago by Katana13
4.0 out of 5 stars
You Little Devil, You!
I bought this 'dictionary' because it appealed to my sense of humour. It is the funniest book I have read in a long time, with it's interesting, often hilarious, twists on official... Read more
Published 14 months ago by Miss W. Merrymoon
5.0 out of 5 stars
Diabolically witty
This famous book, though not to everyone's tastes and certainly not PC, is a gem. Written over 100 years ago, it is a compilation of definitions which originally appeared in an... Read more
Published 15 months ago by puzzled94
4.0 out of 5 stars
Still devilish
This is a faux-dictionary of tongue-in-cheek definitions of everyday words and phrases. In each case the definition pricks a popular conceit, or reveals the unspoken truth. Read more
Published 19 months ago by Stephen Hudson
1.0 out of 5 stars
Poor Kindle edition
This is a very poorly formatted edition. Variable fonts, page breaks everywhere, words appearing from nowhere and footnote references with no hyperlink. Read more
Published on 7 Jan 2011 by Badger
4.0 out of 5 stars
Honest review
Got this to read from my other half. Its kept in my library, a small collection of books in my toilet. Read more
Published on 25 May 2008 by Mr. Peter M. Gater
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