The Devil's Dictionaryby Ambrose Bierce

DICTIONARY

DIGESTION

DIE

—n.

The singular of "dice." We seldom hear the word, because there is a prohibitory proverb, "Never say die." At long intervals, however, some one says: "The die is cast," which is not true, for it is cut. The word is found in an immortal couplet by that eminent poet and domestic economist, Senator Depew:

  A cube of cheese no larger than a die
  May bait the trap to catch a nibbling mie.

Contents

DICTIONARY

DIGESTION