GNU, n. An animal of South Africa, which in its domesticated state resembles a horse, a buffalo and a stag. In its wild condition it is something like a thunderbolt, an earthquake and a cyclone.
Interpretation
This quote humorously describes the gnu, highlighting its peculiar characteristics in a whimsical way.
Ambrose Bierce's quote about the gnu cleverly juxtaposes the animal's domesticated and wild forms, using exaggerated metaphors to illustrate the contrast between calm and chaos. The playful language not only brings humor but also invites readers to appreciate the unique nature of animals and the wild.
In practice
Use this quote in a presentation about the humor in nature.
PALM, n. A species of tree . . . of which the familiar "itching palm" ("Palma hominis") is most widely distributed . . . . This noble vegetable exudes a kind of invisible gum, which may be detected by applying to the bark a piece of gold or silver.
Human nature is pretty well balanced; for every lacking virtue there is a rough substitute that will serve at a pinch--as cunning is the wisdom of the unwise, and ferocity the courage of the coward.
Indigestion: A disease which the patient and his friends frequently mistake for deep religious conviction and concern for the salvation of mankind. As the simple Red Man of the Western Wild put it, with, it must be confessed, a certain force: 'Plenty well, no pray; big belly ache, heap God.'
Disobey n:To celebrate with an appropriate ceremony the maturity of a command
NOUMENON, n. That which exists, as distinguished from that which merely seems to exist, the latter being a phenomenon. The noumenon is a bit difficult to locate; it can be apprehended only by a process of reasoning - which is a phenomenon.
PARDON, v. To remit a penalty and restore to the life of crime. To add to the lure of crime the temptation of ingratitude.
A committee is the only known form of life with a hundred bellies and no brain.
Analyzing humor is like dissecting a frog. Few people are interested and the frog dies of it.
It costs a lot of money to look this cheap.
The only rules comedy can tolerate are those of taste, and the only limitations those of libel.
It is never difficult to distinguish between a Scotsman with a grievance and a ray of sunshine.
I ask people why they have deer heads on their walls. They always say because it's such a beautiful animal. There you go. I think my mother is attractive, but I have photographs of her.
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