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Quiz about Ambrose Bierces The Devils Dictionary

Ambrose Bierce's "The Devil's Dictionary" Quiz

Ambrose Bierce's "The Devil's Dictionary" is a lexicon of sardonic, ironic, and bitingly humorous definitions written by Bierce during his long career.

A multiple-choice quiz by kingofmates. Estimated time: 3 mins.

Author
kingofmates

Time
3 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
337,116

Updated
Jul 23 22

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
7 / 10

Plays
219

Awards
Top 35% Quiz

This quiz has 2 formats: you can play it as a or as shown below.
Scroll down to the bottom for the answer key.

1. "Litigation, n. A machine which you go into as a pig and come out as a __________." Hint

goose

sausage

pauper

silk purse

NEXT>

2. "Twice, adv. Once too __________." Hint

often

many

true

regretted

NEXT>

3. "Congratulation, n. The civility of __________." Hint

envy

contempt

courtesy

politics

NEXT>

4. "Recollect, v. To recall with __________ something not previously known." Hint

relish

friends

vigor

additions

NEXT>

5. "Selfish, adj. Devoid of consideration for the __________ of others." Hint

needs

hopes

desires

selfishness

NEXT>

6. "Prerogative, n. A sovereign's right to do __________." Hint

nothing

anything

everything

wrong

NEXT>

7. "Positive, adj. __________ at the top of one's voice." Hint

Right

Mistaken

Debating

Arguing

NEXT>

8. "Academy, n. A modern school where __________ is taught." Hint

education

nothing

opinion

football

NEXT>

9. "Bride, n. A woman with a fine prospect of happiness __________ her." Hint

around

before

behind

beside

NEXT>

10. "Lawyer, n. One skilled in __________ of the law." Hint

practice

argument

discussion

circumvention

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. "Litigation, n. A machine which you go into as a pig and come out as a __________."

Answer: sausage

Much like the American political process.
Ambrose Bierce was a contemporary of Mark Twain, and his sardonic wit reflects that of Twain....and in some ways, setting the stage for others like Will Rogers.

2. "Twice, adv. Once too __________."

Answer: often

Deja vu need not apply.
Bierce had a long career in journalism, starting as a teenaged printer's assistant for an Indiana newspaper.

3. "Congratulation, n. The civility of __________."

Answer: envy

Political correctness ahead of its time.
Ambrose joined the Union Army at the start of the Civil War. Wounded in action in 1864, he recovered and transferred to San Francisco.

4. "Recollect, v. To recall with __________ something not previously known."

Answer: additions

"Never let the facts get in the way of a good story" -- Mark Twain
Bierce married while in San Francisco, and wrote for a variety of publications.

5. "Selfish, adj. Devoid of consideration for the __________ of others."

Answer: selfishness

Mother Teresa, please forgive us.
Bierce and family travelled to England from 1872-1875, and then returned to San Francisco. In 1875, he submitted his first comic word definitions, initially called "The Demon's Dictionary."

6. "Prerogative, n. A sovereign's right to do __________."

Answer: wrong

Kings, presidents, despots, or sheiks....what's the difference?
Bierce continued to write, publish, and compile his dictionary for years.

7. "Positive, adj. __________ at the top of one's voice."

Answer: Mistaken

Never make your point with a pointed finger.
His completed dictionary was published in 1906 entitled "The Cynic's Word Book."

8. "Academy, n. A modern school where __________ is taught."

Answer: football

This is over 100 years old and still spot on the mark.
In years that followed, his retitled "The Devil's Dictionary" has been reprinted as abridged, unabridged, and expanded with found definitions.

9. "Bride, n. A woman with a fine prospect of happiness __________ her."

Answer: behind

Bierce shows keen insight here.
After the deaths of his wife and sons, Bierce went into Mexico where he travelled with Pancho Villa's army.

10. "Lawyer, n. One skilled in __________ of the law."

Answer: circumvention

"The first thing we do, let's kill all the lawyers"
King Henry VI -- Shakespeare
Ambrose Bierce was last confirmed to be in Chihuahua, Mexico observing Pancho Villa's army movements. No one can say with certainty what happened to him.

Source: Author kingofmates

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor LadyCaitriona before going online.
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