A king's staff of office, the sign and symbol of his authority. It was originally a mace with which the sovereign admonished his jester and vetoed ministerial measures by breaking the bones of their proponents.

RESPIRATOR, n. An apparatus fitted over the nose and mouth of an inhabitant of London, whereby to filter the visible universe in its passage to the lungs.

Alligator: The crocodile of America, superior in every detail to the crocodile of the effete monarchies of the Old World.

LIVER, n. A large red organ thoughtfully provided by nature to be bilious with. The sentiments and emotions which every literary anatomist now knows to haunt the heart were anciently believed to infest the liver; and even Gascoygne, speaking of the emotional side of human nature, calls it "our hepaticall parte." It was at one time considered the seat of life; hence its name- liver, the thing we live with.

GUILLOTINE, n. A machine which makes a Frenchman shrug his shoulders with good reason.

TALK, v.t. To commit an indiscretion without temptation, from an impulse without purpose.

Bigot: One who is obstinately and zealously attached to an opinion that you do not entertain.