The Devil's Dictionary
The Devil's Dictionary, by Ambrose Bierce, was originally a newspaper serialization that offered an interesting reinterpretation of the English language in which cant and political double-talk were neatly lampooned.
Some definitions, such as that of marriage (see below) were considered scandalous or amoral or both by certain parts of society.
Published in 1911, various editions are currently in print including ISBN 0195126270 , by Oxford University Press, and ISBN 0820324019.
Some Examples
- Electricity The cause of all natural phenomena not known to be caused by something else.
- Marriage The state or condition of a community consisting of a master, a mistress and two slaves, making in all, two.
- Mayonnaise One of the sauces that serve the French in place of a state religion.