Every Writer (and Reader) Needs a Devil’s Dictionary
The satire of one of America’s greatest writers will stimulate your creativity
Words matter. That is why I keep it close at hand. Whether it is creative writing or technical problem-solving, the meaning of a word provides specific insight.
I keep The Devil’s Dictionary which occupies the same close-at-hand space as an online version of Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary and two other technical glossaries. Why keep The Devil’s Dictionary in such cherished company? Sometimes looking at modern words through a historical lens provides some fresh perspective — or may drive the use of a different word. Satire also leads us to fresh thinking.
The Devil’s Dictionary
The Devil’s Dictionary consists of historically common words followed by satirical definitions. Satire can be biting or humorous since, by definition, it is trenchant wit, irony, or sarcasm used to expose and discredit vice or folly. The Devil’s Dictionary represents three decades of works by Ambrose Bierce. He published the first book version, The Cynic’s Word Book, in 1906. The final book version, The Devil’s Dictionary, was first published in 1911.
Ambrose Bierce
Ambrose Bierce is one of the top writers and journalists of the late 1800s. In some American literary circles, Bierce is regarded as the best. His award-winning short stories, poems, and books include The Devil’s Dictionary. Read Bierce’s “An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge” if you are interested in one of the earliest examples of the stream-of-consciousness narrative mode.
A Few of My Favorites
These are a few examples of words from the back half of the alphabet in The Devil’s Dictionary.
Self-esteem, n. An erroneous appraisement.
Selfish, adj. Devoid of consideration of the selfishness of others.
Success, n. The one unpardonable sin against one’s fellows.
Truce, n. Friendship.
Truthful, n. Dumb and illiterate.
Twice, adv. Once too often.
Un-American, adj. Wicked, intolerable, heathenish.
Vanity, n. The tribute of a fool to the worth of the nearest ass.
Missing Some Modern Words
Modern words like sex, risk, racist, victim, and others are missing from the dictionary. At first blush, it is easy to conclude that it is “outdated.” However, a deeper look reveals the meaning behind many of our modern words is found behind different words in The Devil’s Dictionary. Those different words will drive some additional creativity.
More Than Simple Definitions
Bierce goes beyond the normal short phrase or sentence definitions found in typical definitions. The Unabridged Devil’s Dictionary editors describe the writing as “a mélange of rhetorical styles, all clearly in the voice of their author.” A poem, pun, or short story often accompanies the basic definition. Some are tongue-in-cheek, some are homiletic, some are written in different dialects, and some are simply corny one-liners.
The rhetorical styles are varied in a way that only a great satirist could do it. Much more, the varied styles make you think.
Tope is one of my favorite examples. Merriam-Webster defines it as “to drink liquor in excess.” The Devil’s Dictionary describes it as “to tipple, booze, swill, soak, guzzle, lush, bib, or swig,” which is a little more thought-provoking than the Merriman-Webster’s version. And Bierce stimulates our thoughts further with a 5-sentence satirical story about Christians, Spaniards, ladies, and fighting. I’ll probably find a way to work tope into more of my writing.
When skimming The Devil’s Dictionary, three other favorites are Bierce’s definitions of free will, folly, and Gordian Knot. There are many others.
Satire Stimulates Creativity
Satire stimulates creativity and keeps us grounded in reality. Sometimes looking at modern words through a historical lens provides some fresh perspective — or may drive the use of a different word. The Devil’s Dictionary is a worthy occupant of every writer’s (and reader’s) bookshelf.
Visit https://www.communicatinwithfinesse.com for more on communication, career development, and excelling as a trusted advisor.
