The Devil’s Dictionary994 terms |
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R1
- R.I.P.
- A careless abbreviation of requiescat in pace, attesting to indolent goodwill to the dead. According to the learned Dr. Drigge, however, the letters originally meant nothing more than reductus in pulvis.
- Rabble
- n. In a republic, those who exercise a supreme authority tempered by fraudulent elections. The rabble is like the sacred Simurgh, of Arabian fable — omnipotent on condition that it do nothing. (The word is Aristocratese, and has no exact equivalent in our tongue, but means, as nearly as may be, “soaring swine.”)
- Rack
- n. An argumentative implement formerly much used in persuading devotees of a false faith to embrace the living truth. As a call to the unconverted the rack never had any particular efficacy, and is now held in light popular esteem.
- Radicalism
- n. The conservatism of to-morrow injected into the affairs of to-day.
- Radium
- n. A mineral that gives off heat and stimulates the organ that a scientist is a fool with.
- Railroad
- n. The chief of many mechanical devices enabling us to get away from where we are to where we are no better off. For this purpose the railroad is held in highest favor by the optimist, for it permits him to make the transit with great expedition.
- Ramshackle
- adj. Pertaining to a certain order of architecture, otherwise known as the Normal American. Most of the public buildings of the United States are of the Ramshackle order, though some of our earlier architects preferred the Ironic. Recent additions to the White House in Washington are Theo-Doric, the ecclesiastic order of the Dorians. They are exceedingly fine and cost one hundred dollars a brick.
- Rank
- n. Relative elevation in the scale of human worth.
He held at court a rank so high
Aramis Jukes
That other noblemen asked why.
“Because,” ’twas answered, “others lack
His skill to scratch the royal back.” - Ransom
- n. The purchase of that which neither belongs to the seller, nor can belong to the buyer. The most unprofitable of investments.