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THE DEVIL'S DICTIONARY Ambrose Bierce - Sunny Hills High School

THE DEVIL'S DICTIONARY Ambrose Bierce - Sunny Hills High School

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<strong>Ambrose</strong> <strong>Bierce</strong> The Devil’s Dictionary<br />

PIGMY, n. One of a tribe of very small men found by ancient travelers<br />

in many parts of the world, but by modern in Central Africa only. The<br />

Pigmies are so called to distinguish them from the bulkier Caucasians<br />

‐‐who are Hogmies.<br />

PILGRIM, n. A traveler that is taken seriously. A Pilgrim Father was<br />

one who, leaving Europe in 1620 because not permitted to sing psalms<br />

through his nose, followed it to Massachusetts, where he could<br />

personate God according to the dictates of his conscience.<br />

PILLORY, n. A mechanical device for inflicting personal distinction<br />

‐‐prototype of the modern newspaper conducted by persons of austere<br />

virtues and blameless lives.<br />

PIRACY, n. Commerce without its folly‐swaddles, just as God made it.<br />

PITIFUL, adj. The state of an enemy of opponent after an imaginary<br />

encounter with oneself.<br />

PITY, n. A failing sense of exemption, inspired by contrast.<br />

PLAGIARISM, n. A literary coincidence compounded of a discreditable<br />

priority and an honorable subsequence.<br />

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