Cynic, n. A blackguard whose faulty vision sees things as they are, not as they ought to be. Hence the custom among the Scythians of plucking out a cynic's eyes to improve his vision.
2005 Update: An enthusiast of irony who weighing society's finds it wanting.
Hey, I've been meaning to send you this link for some time but never got around to it. The fellow has a book out called The Cynic's Dictionary.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.i-cynic.com
One who looks through rose-colored glasses with a jaundiced eye.
ReplyDeletewhy am i always wanting?
ReplyDeleteInde, thanks for the tip. That was the first title that The Devil's Dictionary was printed under. Apparently Bierce's publisher was worried that the title "The Devil's Dictionary" was insensitive. Apparently, the publisher hadn't looked inside either.
ReplyDeleteManjusha, that's what I wish I'd written. Brilliant!
Karma, I can't imagine.
Cynic: ME!
ReplyDeleteCynic: One who calls a pessimeist an optimist.
ReplyDeleteCynic: An optimist who can't type.
ReplyDeleteoh were you talking about me?
ReplyDeletepolitical philosopher!
ReplyDeleteSunil, please, first-person plural.
ReplyDeleteInde, Good definition in the first case. Rest assured, typos and misspelling are as welcome as wit on this site.
Pia, may as well have been. OK, now the serious answer: of all the people I've met online no-one looks life straighter in the eye than you, so, no.
Sree, we crossed in the ether! The two are cousins but not friendly.
ReplyDeleteCynic, n. An optimistic sadist.
ReplyDelete)+(
Gabriel, who are you calling optimist?
ReplyDeleteBobby, thinking isn't really what I do but I did read the post and commented. Thanks for following Gabriel over here and leaving the link. I promise if I find "Mainstream Media" in The Devil's Dictionary to write something snarky.
my mother calls me a cynic i always though it a compliment
ReplyDeleteAnd well you should, Andria
ReplyDeleteMy fav def of cynic is from Oscar Wilde:
ReplyDelete"...one who knows the cost of everything and the value of nothing."
Thanks, Zydeco, Wilde was a brilliant wit and that is a favorite of mine too.
ReplyDeleteOne who sees a bright side in the dark side and vice versa.
ReplyDeleteComfort Addict, we all started out with the x-ray specs from the comic books.
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ReplyDeleteGrouch, then you're late.
ReplyDeleteGuess i'm a cynic...
ReplyDeleteJo, it's good to finally meet one.
ReplyDelete