Word: wittings
(lookup in dictionary)
(lookup stats)
Dates: during 1873-1873
Sort By: most recent first
(reverse)
...hypothetically speaking - were provided with an edition of Josh Billings, they would be fully as capable of appreciating its humor as we are that of Aristophanes; and this with no disparagement either to the latter or Mr. Billings. It matters little, however, whether we are able to discover the wit, so long as we are assured it is there. Why attempt to crack the nut, knowing, as we do, that the kernel is safely incased within; ten to one we shall find a shrivelled morsel for our pains. I learn from men of wisdom, - men who, by a theory...
Engineeringy is good! Moreover, it is only one of those words which impart such a vague flavor of Physics and Mathematics to the whole number. The column headed "Spectrum Lines" shows conclusively that the editor's "lines have not fallen in pleasant places," for the wit and point in its jokes are carefully concealed. In other respects the paper is quite commendable...
...quick parry to be gained from his "system" will be of great use to us in public assemblies, when we are older. This is the lowest kind of debate, and has always been most indulged in by the most vulgar politicians. "A. C." would probably extol the ready wit of a celebrated demagogue on a certain trying occasion. One night, during a political campaign, he was addressing a disorderly crowd in a New York square, and, being unpopular with many of his hearers, he was frequently assailed by flying fruit and vegetables; stretching forth his hand, he caught an apple...
Like beauty ill-attired, our humor clothed in uncouth and meaningless phrases is undiscovered. True, with our limited experience, and wit perhaps, we can hardly expect our efforts to bear even a favorable comparison with the elaborately finished work of a Holmes or Warner, whose humor seldom offends in essence or expression; yet if we would succeed at all in this vein, our style, like theirs, must be characterized by simplicity and elegance, our productions must possess pith and raciness...
...effect of a humorous story than ill-restrained laughter on the part of the narrator. If a writer would divest his article of all poignancy, he has only to show by his repetitions and redundant expressions that he is fully impressed with a conviction of his own mighty wit, and fearful that his readers will fail to discover...