Updated Devil’s Dictionary sorely needed to redefine modern Ireland

A WRITER named Ambrose Bierce, some considerable time back, published a wry reference book entitled The Devil’s Dictionary.

It was filled with unorthodox, tetchy and occasionally funny definitions of words and phrases in common use at the time. One example? His definition of “polygamy” as “too much of a good thing.” He was less than kind to politics and politicians. He irritated polite society, which is never a bad thing. He then went to Mexico and disappeared, which was thoughtless of him, because we need an updated Irish version of his book. In his absence, what follows is a suggested re-definition of terms popular throughout the last ten years, many of which we could do without. Suggested additions to this short list will be gratefully received.

ANGER: An emotion which came into its own at the end of the decade, particularly as a marketing device to ensure bestseller status for non-fiction books by male writers. The market proved insatiable. The best sellers by women at the same period were escapist stories which rarely, if ever, included politicians, economists or bankers among the characters. Which goes to prove that old saw about different strokes suiting different folks.