Brewer's Dictionary of Phrase and Fable is a reference I'm very familiar with. I used to keep a copy under my bed as a kid and if I wasn't sleepy I'd pick it up and read it in bed as if it was not a reference book. A great resource to have if you're a writer.
> Absurdity.—Mr. Pitts’s surplus fund, his Majesty’s civil list, and the combination of kings, to restore priesthood, aristocracy, and monarchy in France.
> Constitution,—a code of laws, founded in principles of equal rights, and general happiness, such as Kenyon and Ashurst define that of England, but which their practice proves directly the reverse.
> Knight,—a strange sort of an animal into which the king sometimes transforms a man; thus Sir Watkin Lewes, Sir James Saunderson, Sir Jeffrey Dunstan, and Sir Sidney Smith, are knights.
> Tyrant.—For examples look into history, no matter of what country!
Pigott’s Political Dictionary shows that Ambrose Bierce wasn't the first with his shtick. Though the author seemed quite optimistic on cutting-edge developments!
> America,—a bright and immortal example to all colonies groaning under a foreign yoke, proving the invincible energy and virtue of Freedom, and enjoying a state of prosperity, since she has thrown off her depedence on Great Britain, hitherto unknown in the nations of Europe.
> Republic,—a government which is conducted with a tenth or twentieth part the expence, throughout every department, that it costs a monarchial one. There is scarce such a thing known as corruption of rulers; and the rulers being stationary, have no occasion of attempting such ruinous schemes to rob their fellow-citizens of their rights, as in such case they would destroy their own. In truth, a Representative Republic must be the best government, as it appears the most rational.
It seems to capture contemporary politics remarkably well for a book written two centuries ago.
Representative,—one who neither cares for your interests nor your welfare, provided he can get a share of the general plunder. If he can not get a share, he becomes all at once a flaming patriot, harangues against corruption and venality, till, like the noisy mastiff, he receives an opiate morsel from the thieves whom he was placed there to guard against.
Recess of Parliament,—an interval between the sessions, when the prime minister may hood-wink and tyrannize over the People, lavish their treasures, and commit any enormity, not only with impunity, and without control, but likewise with popularity.——So much for the English!
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[ 3.1 ms ] story [ 25.6 ms ] thread> Constitution,—a code of laws, founded in principles of equal rights, and general happiness, such as Kenyon and Ashurst define that of England, but which their practice proves directly the reverse.
> Knight,—a strange sort of an animal into which the king sometimes transforms a man; thus Sir Watkin Lewes, Sir James Saunderson, Sir Jeffrey Dunstan, and Sir Sidney Smith, are knights.
> Tyrant.—For examples look into history, no matter of what country!
Pigott’s Political Dictionary shows that Ambrose Bierce wasn't the first with his shtick. Though the author seemed quite optimistic on cutting-edge developments!
> America,—a bright and immortal example to all colonies groaning under a foreign yoke, proving the invincible energy and virtue of Freedom, and enjoying a state of prosperity, since she has thrown off her depedence on Great Britain, hitherto unknown in the nations of Europe.
> Republic,—a government which is conducted with a tenth or twentieth part the expence, throughout every department, that it costs a monarchial one. There is scarce such a thing known as corruption of rulers; and the rulers being stationary, have no occasion of attempting such ruinous schemes to rob their fellow-citizens of their rights, as in such case they would destroy their own. In truth, a Representative Republic must be the best government, as it appears the most rational.
Representative,—one who neither cares for your interests nor your welfare, provided he can get a share of the general plunder. If he can not get a share, he becomes all at once a flaming patriot, harangues against corruption and venality, till, like the noisy mastiff, he receives an opiate morsel from the thieves whom he was placed there to guard against.
Recess of Parliament,—an interval between the sessions, when the prime minister may hood-wink and tyrannize over the People, lavish their treasures, and commit any enormity, not only with impunity, and without control, but likewise with popularity.——So much for the English!