Kiss. n. A word invented by the poets as a rhyme for "bliss".
Interpretation
This quote humorously suggests that the word 'kiss' was created by poets primarily to rhyme with 'bliss'.
Ambrose Bierce's quote cleverly highlights the playful nature of language and poetry, suggesting that the word 'kiss' is not just a simple term but rather a product of poetic invention aimed at creating rhyme and evoking positive emotions associated with 'bliss'. It reflects the idea that words carry deeper meanings and connections that go beyond their mere definitions.
In practice
Using this quote in a poetic discussion about love can light-heartedly introduce the topic.
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.
When a dramatic actor does a funny film, people are like, 'Wonderful! I didn't know he was funny!' But when it flips, people can get really thrown by it.
I don't know if it's good for baseball, but it sure beats the hell out of rooming with Phil Rizzuto!
You look at the world and see how scary it can be sometimes and still try to deal with the fear. Comedy can deal with the fear and still not paralyze you or tell you that it's going away. You say, OK, you got certain choices here, you can laugh at them and then once you've laughed at them and you have expunged the demon, now you can deal with them. That's what I do when I do my act.
You must never imagine, that just because something is funny, it is not also dangerous.
Don't talk to me." "Why not?" "Because I want to fix that in my memory for ever. Draco Malfoy, the amazing bouncing ferret.
I love the truth. It's the facts I'm not a fan of.
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