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The Cynic's Word Book

 

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Terms 1 to 5 of 5
VALOR n. A soldierly compound of vanity, duty and the gambler's hope.
"Why have you halted?" roared the commander of a
division and
Chickamauga, who had ordered a charge; "move
forward, sir, at once."

"General," said the commander of the delinquent
brigade, "I am
persuaded that any further display of valor by my
troops will bring
them into collision with the enemy."

VANITY n. The tribute of a fool to the worth of the nearest ass.
They say that hens do cackle loudest when
There's nothing vital in the eggs they've laid;
And there are hens, professing to have made
A study of mankind, who say that men
Whose business 'tis to drive the tongue or pen
Make the most clamorous fanfaronade
O'er their most worthless work; and I'm afraid
They're not entirely different from the hen.
Lo! the drum-major in his coat of gold,
His blazing breeches and high-towering cap--
Imperiously pompous, grandly bold,
Grim, resolute, an awe-inspiring chap!
Who'd think this gorgeous creature's only virtue
Is that in battle he will never hurt you?

Hannibal Hunsiker

VIRTUES n. pl. Certain abstentions.
VITUPERATION n. Satire, as understood by dunces and all such as suffer from an impediment in their wit.
VOTE n. The instrument and symbol of a freeman's power to make a fool of himself and a wreck of his country.

 
Old English 'word lottery' pick

Horography : n. An account of the hours.; n. The art of constructing instruments for making the hours, as clocks, watches, and dials.

 
The Cynic's Word Book by Ambrose Bierce published in 1906 and 1911.
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