MANICHAEAN
06-05-2010, 03:38 AM
A lot of us turn to dictionaries for help but it does not always work. I have an old Thai-English dictionary which informs me that the traditional beast of burden in Thailand is a "cuffalo". Or there is that common English expression, "Beating about the bash"
I've read of a journalist called Ambrose Bierce who has recognised the limitation of traditional dictionaries that in effect can cramp the flow of language, making it hard and inelastic.
So apparently he came up with his own Devil's Dictionary which informs its readers on what, from his perspective, words really mean.
Thus "politics" is "A strife of interests masquerading as a contest of principles."
Oh dear. I'm not sure if I've broken the rules!!!!!!!!
I've read of a journalist called Ambrose Bierce who has recognised the limitation of traditional dictionaries that in effect can cramp the flow of language, making it hard and inelastic.
So apparently he came up with his own Devil's Dictionary which informs its readers on what, from his perspective, words really mean.
Thus "politics" is "A strife of interests masquerading as a contest of principles."
Oh dear. I'm not sure if I've broken the rules!!!!!!!!