The Devil's Pictionary

[only_human]

Originally Posted by ewmayer

And another long-ago-invention (IIRC the date correctly, May 1985 - 30th pun-niversary coming up! The usage example predates the neologism by roughly 15 seconds):

Perverseverance (n):
Steadfastness in doing something trite or rather silly, despite difficulty or delay in achieving success : My girlfriend displayed perverseverance in her 10-minute-long effort to tie a knot in a cherry stem using only her tongue and teeth.

Perverse-severance:
Your girlfriend losing that ability 10 minutes after marriage.

[xilman]

Eclipse: celestial phenomenon in which the sun is totally obscured by a cloud the exact size and shape of the sky.

(With thanks to Fivemack who re-tweeted the above text.)

[only_human]

Expository writing:
Intended to explain or describe something and presented in a lucid exposition.

Suppository writing:
Intended to suppose or describe something and presented as a chauvinistic supposition.

[legendarymudkip]

Piano Quartet: Musical group consisting of 4 pianos.

[mathsman1963]

Satellite: Sugar-free chair
Dinosaur: View through a restaurant window
Melancholy: Fruit chasing sheepdog

[only_human]

Granola Bär:
Huge, hirsute and irascible, this Californian couch-crouching idealistic individual flake occasionally eschews potato picnic provender to partake of honey drenched nuts and grains that, depending on circumstance, may be sprouted, malted or fermented. No two flakes are identical.

[ewmayer]

Originally Posted by only_human

Expository writing:
Intended to explain or describe something and presented in a lucid exposition.

Suppository writing:
Intended to suppose or describe something and presented as a chauvinistic supposition.

Impository writing: A missive requesting a favor of the recipient.

===================

éminence gros (also éminence gross)
noun ( pl. éminences grosses)
A corpulent person who exercises power or influence in a certain sphere without holding an official position.

(See also: éminence grise .)

[only_human]

47 Ronin

The story tells of a group of samurai who were left leaderless (becoming ronin) after their daimyo (feudal lord) Asano Naganori was compelled to commit seppuku (ritual suicide) for assaulting a court official named Kira Yoshinaka, whose title was Kōzuke no suke. The ronin avenged their master's honor by killing Kira, after waiting and planning for a year. In turn, the ronin were themselves obliged to commit seppuku for committing the crime of murder. This true story was popularized in Japanese culture as emblematic of the loyalty, sacrifice, persistence, and honor that people should preserve in their daily lives.

47 Senators
(Petition on whitehouse.gov)

WE PETITION THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION TO:
File charges against the 47 U.S. Senators in violation of The Logan Act in attempting to undermine a nuclear agreement.
On March 9th, 2015, forty-seven United States Senators committed a treasonous offense when they decided to violate the Logan Act, a 1799 law which forbids unauthorized citizens from negotiating with foreign governments. Violation of the Logan Act is a felony, punishable under federal law with imprisonment of up to three years.

At a time when the United States government is attempting to reach a potential nuclear agreement with the Iranian government, 47 Senators saw fit to instead issue a condescending letter to the Iranian government stating that any agreement brokered by our President would not be upheld once the president leaves office.

This is a clear violation of federal law. In attempting to undermine our own nation, these 47 senators have committed treason.

Published Date: Mar 09, 2015

SIGNATURES NEEDED BY APRIL 08, 2015 TO REACH GOAL OF 100,000: 0
TOTAL SIGNATURES ON THIS PETITION: 318,687

[davar55]

Originally Posted by only_human

47 Ronin
47 Senators
(Petition on whitehouse.gov)

I count three bad ideas here.

[kladner]

@ only_human on Chushingura.
I have long treasured this story (word play accidental). I have the play in book form and have seen one of the movies based on it. The Wiki article does not mention it, but I have read elsewhere, possibly in the book itself, that the Kabuki version was banned for some time as it was seen as encouraging disrespect for the actions of the authorities.

I see the message as being "Doing what one believes is right, regardless of consequences." This is uncomfortably close to the justifications for their actions used by extremists of all stripes. I believe that in the context of the culture, the ronin were under obligations of morality and honor to avenge their lord. In the play, and the movie above, the "Protocol Official" persistently and egregiously insulted the lord, leading to his attempt on the official's life.

In the film, I have always found it amusing that, during the assault of the ronin on the official's residence, a neighbor demands to know what is going on. The leader of the ronin replies that they have come for his neighbor's head. At this the next-door guy says, approximately, "Well it's about time. If his men attempt to escape over here, we will throw them back."

[only_human]

Originally Posted by kladner

@ only_human on Chushingura.
I have long treasured this story (word play accidental). I have the play in book form and have seen one of the movies based on it. The Wiki article does not mention it, but I have read elsewhere, possibly in the book itself, that the Kabuki version was banned for some time as it was seen as encouraging disrespect for the actions of the authorities.

I see the message as being "Doing what one believes is right, regardless of consequences." This is uncomfortably close to the justifications for their actions used by extremists of all stripes. I believe that in the context of the culture, the ronin were under obligations of morality and honor to avenge their lord. In the play, and the movie above, the "Protocol Official" persistently and egregiously insulted the lord, leading to his attempt on the official's life.

In the film, I have always found it amusing that, during the assault of the ronin on the official's residence, a neighbor demands to know what is going on. The leader of the ronin replies that they have come for his neighbor's head. At this the next-door guy says, approximately, "Well it's about time. If his men attempt to escape over here, we will throw them back."

Thanks for the summary. I even more want to ingest it. Good post.

I watched the Seven Samurai at the Kokusai Theatre. It was quite an experience as several theater patrons were openly sobbing at the point where the samurai learn that the villagers that they will be defending had been killing samurai in the past. Much of Hollywood has learned and been enriched by looking at the work of Kurosawa.