Cat Quote by Ambrose Bierce
“FIDDLE, n. An instrument to tickle human ears by friction of a horse's tail on the entrails of a cat.”
About This Quote
Source Dictionary entry: Fiddle, 1909 by Ambrose Bierce
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.
