ARMOR, n. The kind of clothing worn by a man whose tailor is a blacksmith.
Interpretation
The quote humorously defines armor as clothing created by a blacksmith, suggesting that it lacks the finesse of a tailor's work.
Ambrose Bierce's quote playfully highlights the contrast between the craftsmanship of a tailor and that of a blacksmith, using armor as a metaphor for something that is functional but lacks elegance. The humor stems from the implication that armor, while protective, is not the refined garment one would expect from a skilled tailor, thus invoking a humorous visual and commentary on societal perceptions of strength versus style.
In practice
In a light-hearted conversation about fashion choices during a historical reenactment.
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.
[N]o party is any fun unless seasoned with folly.
There's a difference between being a comic and a comedian. A comic is a guy who says funny things, and a comedian is a guy who says things funny, and he has a style and point of view that will last much longer.
The people who must never have power are the humorless. To impossible certainties of rectitude they ally tedium and uniformity
I would like to take you seriously, but to do so would affront your intelligence.
Color television! Bah, I won't believe it until I see it in black and white.
There are more pleasant things to do than beat up people.
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