--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Hash, x. There is no definition for this…" description: "\"Hash, x. There is no definition for this word - nobody knows what hash is. Famous, adj. Conspicuously miserable. Dictionary, n. A malevolent literary d..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c26/ambrose-bierce-140_definitions_hash-x-there-is-no-definition-for-this-w_880072.jpg" --- # Hash, x. There is no definition for this word - nobody… ![“Hash, x. There is no definition for this word - nobody knows what hash is. Famous, adj. Conspicuously miserable. Dictionary, n. A malevolent literary device for cramping the growth of a language and making it hard and inelastic. This dictionary, however, is a most useful work.” quote by Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c26/ambrose-bierce-140_definitions_hash-x-there-is-no-definition-for-this-w_880072.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c26/ambrose-bierce-140_definitions_hash-x-there-is-no-definition-for-this-w_880072.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c26/ambrose-bierce-140_definitions_hash-x-there-is-no-definition-for-this-w_880072.jpg) > “Hash, x. There is no definition for this word - nobody knows what hash is. Famous, adj. Conspicuously miserable. Dictionary, n. A malevolent literary device for cramping the growth of a language and making it hard and inelastic. This dictionary, however, is a most useful work.” [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/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. The entry satizes how language can be twisted into a tool that hinders clear thought and stifles expression. **In simple terms:** Words can be weaponized to limit meaning. Key Takeaway Beware of language that restricts thinking. Themes language satire communication Mood cynical critical wry Type satirical philosophical commentary When to use this quote - political discourse - media analysis - creative writing - education - legal drafting Key Concepts semantic distortion censorship linguistic control Questions to Reflect On - How does language shape power dynamics? - Can we reclaim words that have been weaponized? A Different Perspective The humor may downplay serious impacts of manipulative language. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Dictionary](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dictionary/) [Growth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/growth/) [Language](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/language/) [Literary devices](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/literary-devices/) [Miserable](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/miserable/) ## Related quotes > [HASH: There is no definition for this word - nobody knows what hash is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/hash-there-is-no-definition-for-this-word-nobody-knows-what-hash-is/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [Dictionary: a malevolent literary device for cramping the growth of a language and making it hard and inelastic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/dictionary-a-malevolent-literary-device-for-cramping-the-growth-of-a/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [“You hold in your hands a very special book. It contains one hundred carnival rides of terror. You must remember: horror can come from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-h-greenberg/you-hold-in-your-hands-a-very-special-book-it-contains-one-hundred/) Martin H. Greenberg > [And it's kind of my own fault too, in the sense that I've used my own life as a literary device so much. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-klosterman/and-it-s-kind-of-my-own-fault-too-in-the-sense-that-i-ve-used-my-own/) [Chuck Klosterman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-klosterman/) > [Do you know what religion is, Martin, my friend? -I can barely remember Lord's Prayer. -A beautiful and well-crafted prayer. Poetry aside, a religion…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carlos-ruiz-zafon/do-you-know-what-religion-is-martin-my-friend-i-can-barely-remember/) [Carlos Ruiz Zafon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carlos-ruiz-zafon/) > [Fantasy is probably the oldest literary device for talking about reality.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ursula-k-le-guin/fantasy-is-probably-the-oldest-literary-device-for-talking-about/) [Ursula K. Le Guin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ursula-k-le-guin/) > [Synesthesia has interested me for a long time, both as a literary device and as a puncturing of the membranes that organize how the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leni-zumas/synesthesia-has-interested-me-for-a-long-time-both-as-a-literary/) [Leni Zumas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leni-zumas/) > [I should say that I'm not conscious of any particular style or any particular literary device when I am writing. I have written 22…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isabel-allende/i-should-say-that-i-m-not-conscious-of-any-particular-style-or-any/) [Isabel Allende](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isabel-allende/) > [“The Tull-Toks claim that everything in the universe can be read. Each star is a living text, where the massive convection currents of superheated…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-liu/the-tull-toks-claim-that-everything-in-the-universe-can-be-read-each/) [Ken Liu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-liu/) > [God is a novelist. He uses all sorts of literary devices: alliteration, assonance, rhyme, synecdoche, onomatopoeia. But of all of these, His favorite is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lauren-f-winner/god-is-a-novelist-he-uses-all-sorts-of-literary-devices-alliteration/) [Lauren F. Winner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lauren-f-winner/) > [Of course I didn't pioneer the use of food in fiction: it has been a standard literary device since Chaucer and Rabelais, who used…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joanne-harris/of-course-i-didn-t-pioneer-the-use-of-food-in-fiction-it-has-been-a/) [Joanne Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joanne-harris/) > [The essay is a literary device for saying almost everything about almost anything](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aldous-huxley/the-essay-is-a-literary-device-for-saying-almost-everything-about/) [Aldous Huxley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aldous-huxley/) > [Literary devices are used in everything you do, but more importantly in what you say.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mariam-eldoma/literary-devices-are-used-in-everything-you-do-but-more-importantly/) Mariam Eldoma > [Through humility, soul-searching, and prayerful contemplation we have gained a new understanding of certain dogmas. The church no longer believes in a literal hell…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/through-humility-soul-searching-and-prayerful-contemplation-we-have/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The thing to remember when you're writing," he said, " is, it's not whether or not what you put on paper is true. It's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-de-lint/the-thing-to-remember-when-you-re-writing-he-said-is-it-s-not-whether/) [Charles de Lint](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-de-lint/) ## More by Ambrose Bierce > [OBSESSED, p.p. Vexed by an evil spirit, like the Gadarene swine and other critics. Obsession was once more common than it is now. Arasthus…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/obsessed-p-p-vexed-by-an-evil-spirit-like-the-gadarene-swine-and/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [DECIDE, v.i. To succumb to the preponderance of one set of influences over another set.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/decide-v-i-to-succumb-to-the-preponderance-of-one-set-of-influences/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [IMMORAL, adj. Inexpedient. Whatever in the long run and with regard to the greater number of instances men find to be generally inexpedient comes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/immoral-adj-inexpedient-whatever-in-the-long-run-and-with-regard-to/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [REVIEW, v.t. To set your wisdom (holding not a doubt of it./ Although in truth there's neither bone nor skin to it)/ At work…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/review-v-t-to-set-your-wisdom-holding-not-a-doubt-of-it-although-in/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [CLOCK, n. A machine of great moral value to man, allaying his concern for the future by reminding him what a lot of time…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/clock-n-a-machine-of-great-moral-value-to-man-allaying-his-concern/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [RUBBISH, n. Worthless matter, such as the religions, philosophies, literatures, arts and sciences of the tribes infesting the regions lying due south from Boreaplas.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/rubbish-n-worthless-matter-such-as-the-religions-philosophies/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [There was never a genius who was not thought a fool until he disclosed himself; whereas he is a fool then only.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/there-was-never-a-genius-who-was-not-thought-a-fool-until-he/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [Telephone, n. An invention of the devil which abrogates some of the advantages of making a disagreeable person keep his distance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/telephone-n-an-invention-of-the-devil-which-abrogates-some-of-the/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [WHANGDEPOOTENAWAH, n. In the Ojibwa tongue, disaster; an unexpected affliction that strikes hard.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/whangdepootenawah-n-in-the-ojibwa-tongue-disaster-an-unexpected/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [Jealous, adj. Unduly concerned about the preservation of that which can be lost only if not worth keeping.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/jealous-adj-unduly-concerned-about-the-preservation-of-that-which-can/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [RIDICULE, n. Words designed to show that the person of whom they are uttered is devoid of the dignity of character distinguishing him who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/ridicule-n-words-designed-to-show-that-the-person-of-whom-they-are/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [Think twice before you speak to a friend in need](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/think-twice-before-you-speak-to-a-friend-in-need/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [HERMIT, n. A person whose vices and follies are not sociable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/hermit-n-a-person-whose-vices-and-follies-are-not-sociable/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [TARIFF, n. A scale of taxes on imports, designed to protect the domestic producer against the greed of his consumer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/tariff-n-a-scale-of-taxes-on-imports-designed-to-protect-the-domestic/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [A bad marriage is like an electrical thrilling machine: it makes you dance, but you can't let go.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/a-bad-marriage-is-like-an-electrical-thrilling-machine-it-makes-you/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) [Explore all 1,157 Ambrose Bierce quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) ## More Definitions quotes > [When the first Superman movie came out I was frequently asked "What is a hero?" ...My answer was that a hero is someone who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-reeve/when-the-first-superman-movie-came-out-i-was-frequently-asked-what-is/) [Christopher Reeve](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-reeve/) > [The poet reminds men of their uniqueness and it is not necessary to possess the ultimate definition of this uniqueness. Even to speculate is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-cousins/the-poet-reminds-men-of-their-uniqueness-and-it-is-not-necessary-to/) [Norman Cousins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-cousins/) > [Bruce Katz is a spectacular talent! He's a brilliant composer and arranger who uses uncommon and unique musical intelligence to redefine jazz and blues…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/larry-coryell/bruce-katz-is-a-spectacular-talent-he-s-a-brilliant-composer-and/) [Larry Coryell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/larry-coryell/) > [But when you have to deal with notes, and to be able to make a full definition of what a sound is - if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dennis-brown/but-when-you-have-to-deal-with-notes-and-to-be-able-to-make-a-full/) [Dennis Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dennis-brown/) > [ The self is defined psychologically as the psychic totality of the individual. Anything that a \[person\] postulates as being a greater totality than \[oneself\]… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-jung/the-self-is-defined-psychologically-as-the-psychic-totality-of-the/) [Carl Jung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-jung/) > [Before I had kids, I thought you should never lie to a kid. But now I've had them, I realize you almost lie to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emma-donoghue/before-i-had-kids-i-thought-you-should-never-lie-to-a-kid-but-now-i/) [Emma Donoghue](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emma-donoghue/) > [my definition of the ideal man is 'that particular man with whom a woman happens to be in love at that particular time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clare-boothe-luce/my-definition-of-the-ideal-man-is-that-particular-man-with-whom-a/) [Clare Boothe Luce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clare-boothe-luce/) > [He emphasised basic truths: you are not dying yet, you have to live your life until you are. Underpinning them was the belief that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/irvine-welsh/he-emphasised-basic-truths-you-are-not-dying-yet-you-have-to-live/) [Irvine Welsh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/irvine-welsh/) > [My briefest ever definition of science fiction is 'Hubris clobbered by Nemesis.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-aldiss/my-briefest-ever-definition-of-science-fiction-is-hubris-clobbered-by/) [Brian Aldiss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-aldiss/) > [Was man made stupid to see his own stupidity? Is God by definition indifferent, beyond us all? Is the eternal truth man's fighting soul…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-eberhart/was-man-made-stupid-to-see-his-own-stupidity-is-god-by-definition/) [Richard Eberhart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-eberhart/) > [Science manipulates things and gives up living in them. It makes its own limited models of things; operating upon these indices or variables to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maurice-merleau-ponty/science-manipulates-things-and-gives-up-living-in-them-it-makes-its/) [Maurice Merleau-Ponty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maurice-merleau-ponty/) > [The accumulation of all powers, legislative, executive, and judiciary, in the same hands, whether of one, a few, or many, and whether hereditary, selfappointed,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-madison/the-accumulation-of-all-powers-legislative-executive-and-judiciary-in/) [James Madison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-madison/) > [“I'm going to use them to track him down and thwart him." "Thwart?" Sarissa asked. "Thwart." I said. "To prevent someone from accomplishing something…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-butcher/i-m-going-to-use-them-to-track-him-down-and-thwart-him-thwart-sarissa/) [Jim Butcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-butcher/) > [A design may be called organic when there is an harmonious organization of the parts within the whole, according to structure, material, and purpose.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eliot-noyes/a-design-may-be-called-organic-when-there-is-an-harmonious/) Eliot Noyes > [Of Rhetoric various definitions have been given by different writers; who, however, seem not so much to have disagreed in their conceptions of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-whately/of-rhetoric-various-definitions-have-been-given-by-different-writers/) [Richard Whately](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-whately/) Browse all 2,047 Definitions quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Hash, x. 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