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FIDDLE, n. An instrument to tickle human ears by friction…

“FIDDLE, n. An instrument to tickle human ears by friction of a horse's tail on the entrails of a cat.” quote by Ambrose Bierce
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“FIDDLE, n. An instrument to tickle human ears by friction of a horse's tail on the entrails of a cat.”

Ambrose Bierce

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

A darkly humorous definition linking music to animal cruelty.

In simple terms: Fiddle is an instrument that tickles ears by a horse’s tail on a cat’s entrails.

Key Takeaway

Question the absurdity of language.

Themes

humor language satire

Mood

dark satirical

Type

humorous literary

When to use this quote

  • creative writing
  • comic relief
  • linguistic analysis

Key Concepts

absurdism cruelty musical metaphor

Questions to Reflect On

  • Why use grotesque imagery for humor?
  • What does this say about cultural attitudes?
A Different Perspective

Some may find the definition too graphic.

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