As is gloriously sung in the Gilbert and Sullivan operetta "H.M.S. Pinafore," in the words of W. S. Gilbert: "Things are seldom as they seem, Skim milk masquerades as cream."

Ah, pray no mistake, We are not shy; We're very wide awake The Moon and I.

You must lie upon the daisies and discourse in novel phrases of complicated state of mind. The meaning doesn't matter if it's only idle chatter of a transcendental kind.

Merely corroborative detail, intended to give artistic verisimilitude to an otherwise bald and unconvincing narrative.

The idiot who praises, with enthusiastic tone, All centuries but this, and every country but his own.

Saturday afternoon, although occurring at regular and well-foreseen intervals, always takes this railway by surprise.

When the enterprising burglar isn't burgling; When the cut-throat isn't occupied in crime; He loves to hear the little brook a-gurgling; And listen to the merry village chime.