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Le Dictionnaire des idées reçues
«Il y a à parier que toute idée publique, toute convention reçue, est une sottise, car elle a convenu au plus grand nombre.» Exergue du Dictionnaire des idées reçues – œuvre inachevée aux multiples manuscrits –, cette maxime de Chamfort en donne le ton incisif. «Actrice», «mélancolie», «pédantisme», «voyageur», «candeur», «duel», «laboureurs», «religion»… Sur des sujets aussi variés, Flaubert y relève en effet pensées figées et lieux communs, traquant la vacuité avec une ironie mordante.
135 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1913
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About the author
Gustave Flaubert
2,270 books3,901 followersGustave Flaubert was a French novelist. He has been considered the leading exponent of literary realism in his country and abroad. According to the literary theorist Kornelije Kvas, "in Flaubert, realism strives for formal perfection, so the presentation of reality tends to be neutral, emphasizing the values and importance of style as an objective method of presenting reality". He is known especially for his debut novel Madame Bovary (1857), his Correspondence, and his scrupulous devotion to his style and aesthetics. The celebrated short story writer Guy de Maupassant was a protégé of Flaubert.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 163 reviews
October 25, 2025
Thunder against. Wax indignant about.
Because I recalled laughing a lot while reading two tomes with correspondence of Gustave Flaubert (1821-1880) in which he shows himself from his most cantankerous, curmudgeon and biting side, I couldn’t resist adding this little handbag-friendly volume while queueing with another book in one of the numerous exquisite bookshops in the south of France last summer.
Published after Flaubert’s death, it is a short and peculiar collection of entries presented in alphabetical order, satirizing and commenting on French society during the second French Empire, when France was ruled by Napoleon III (1852-1870). Exposing platitudes, clichés, trite fillers of the conversation, lazy expressions, automatic thoughts, illustrations of sloppy, conventional, conformist, incoherent thinking, groupthink responses, it is another testimony of Flaubert’s hatred of the bourgeoisie and its values, which he loathed for its philistinism, intellectual emptiness, mediocrity, hypocrisy and materialism.
Plucked from overhearing conversations, concerning subjects like politics, the body, the weather, Flaubert dissects with devilish delight the repetition and staleness that makes him wince and which was clearly a torture to this writer renown for his own relentless quest for le mot juste, the obsessive and painstaking search for the single, precise ‘right word’ or phrase. It made me wonder which current linguistic habits or lingo and truisms would have provoked and irritated him as wildly as the ones in his days did – perhaps political and office jargon - the synergies, or quick wins, or thinking out of the box gibberish (or is this only superimposing a personal pet peeve)?
(drawing by Caroline Commanville (1846-1931))
A few examples (which give only a taste, the fun effect of the repetition and circularity merits a read from cover to cover):
Grin, grumble and snigger along as you wish (and perhaps blush too, as you will find yourself undoubtedly guilty of similar petty crimes too, which was precisely Flaubert’s intention (After reading the book, one would be afraid to talk, for fear of using one of the phrases in it).
As an aside, I like to imagine Flaubert grimacing ironically while reading the rather vicious rant in the postface written by Philippe Meyer, in which he places the ‘sad spirit of Political Correctness’ and of ‘eco-fundamentalism’ on the same level as the ‘two barely gone recent totalitarianisms’, complaining they kill joy by their regulitis. Reactionary, moi? Maybe Flaubert would just shrug. Cynicism and pessimism are so much more enjoyable when paired with the brilliant Flaubertian wit.
You can read an annotated translation into English by Jacques Barzun on the Internet Archive (Dictionary of accepted ideas).
Because I recalled laughing a lot while reading two tomes with correspondence of Gustave Flaubert (1821-1880) in which he shows himself from his most cantankerous, curmudgeon and biting side, I couldn’t resist adding this little handbag-friendly volume while queueing with another book in one of the numerous exquisite bookshops in the south of France last summer.
Published after Flaubert’s death, it is a short and peculiar collection of entries presented in alphabetical order, satirizing and commenting on French society during the second French Empire, when France was ruled by Napoleon III (1852-1870). Exposing platitudes, clichés, trite fillers of the conversation, lazy expressions, automatic thoughts, illustrations of sloppy, conventional, conformist, incoherent thinking, groupthink responses, it is another testimony of Flaubert’s hatred of the bourgeoisie and its values, which he loathed for its philistinism, intellectual emptiness, mediocrity, hypocrisy and materialism.
Plucked from overhearing conversations, concerning subjects like politics, the body, the weather, Flaubert dissects with devilish delight the repetition and staleness that makes him wince and which was clearly a torture to this writer renown for his own relentless quest for le mot juste, the obsessive and painstaking search for the single, precise ‘right word’ or phrase. It made me wonder which current linguistic habits or lingo and truisms would have provoked and irritated him as wildly as the ones in his days did – perhaps political and office jargon - the synergies, or quick wins, or thinking out of the box gibberish (or is this only superimposing a personal pet peeve)?
(drawing by Caroline Commanville (1846-1931))
A few examples (which give only a taste, the fun effect of the repetition and circularity merits a read from cover to cover):
ANGLAISES – s’étonner de ce qu’elles ont de jolis enfants
ENGLISHWOMEN. Express surprise that they can have good-looking children.
*
ENFANTS – affecter pour eux une trendresse lyrique, quand il y a du monde.
CHILDREN. Give signs of a passionate attachment to all children when others are looking on.
*
IMBÉCILES – ceux qui ne pensent pas comme vous.
IDIOTS. Those who differ with you.
*
LÉGALITÉ - La légalité nous tue. Avec elle aucun gouvernement n’est possible.
CONSTITUTIONAL (RULES). Are stifling us—under them it is impossible to govern.
(where and when did we hear that one again?)
*
LITTÉRATURE – occupation des oisifs.
LITERATURE. Idle pastime.
*
OMÉGA - Deuxième lettre de l’alphabet grec, puisqu’on dit toujours l’alpha et l’oméga.
OMEGA. Second letter of the Greek alphabet, since everybody always says: “The alpha and omega of…”.
*
OPTIMISTE – équivalent d’imbécile.
OPTIMIST. Synonym for imbecile.
*
POÉSIE (la) – Est tout à fait inutile : passée de mode.
POETRY. Entirely useless; out of date.
*
POÈTE – Synonyme noble de nigaud ; rêveur.
POET. Pompous synonym for fool, dreamer.
*
PROPRIÉTÉ – une des bases de la société. Plus sacrée que la religion.
PROPERTY. One of the foundations of society. More sacred than religion.
*
RICHESSE – Tient lieu de tout, même de considération.
WEALTH. Substitute for everything, including reputation.
*
TEMPS – étérnel sujet de conversation. Cause universelle des maladies. Toujours s’en plaindre.
WEATHER. Eternal topic of conversation. Universal cause of ailments. Always complain of the weather.
Grin, grumble and snigger along as you wish (and perhaps blush too, as you will find yourself undoubtedly guilty of similar petty crimes too, which was precisely Flaubert’s intention (After reading the book, one would be afraid to talk, for fear of using one of the phrases in it).
As an aside, I like to imagine Flaubert grimacing ironically while reading the rather vicious rant in the postface written by Philippe Meyer, in which he places the ‘sad spirit of Political Correctness’ and of ‘eco-fundamentalism’ on the same level as the ‘two barely gone recent totalitarianisms’, complaining they kill joy by their regulitis. Reactionary, moi? Maybe Flaubert would just shrug. Cynicism and pessimism are so much more enjoyable when paired with the brilliant Flaubertian wit.
You can read an annotated translation into English by Jacques Barzun on the Internet Archive (Dictionary of accepted ideas).
![Profile Image for s.penkevich [hiatus-will return-miss you all].](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.gr-assets.com%2Fimages%2FS%2Fcompressed.photo.goodreads.com%2Fusers%2F1735525095i%2F6431467._UX200_CR0%2C11%2C200%2C200_.jpg&w=128&q=75)
October 6, 2012
‘To dissect is a form of revenge’
-Gustave Flaubert in a letter to George Sand
Flaubert’s Dictionary of Accepted Ideas is an ironic, witty, and outright humorous satire on the minds and manners of the everyday man, the philistines, as Flaubert would call them, that move within a higher society. Alphabetized within its pages are a wide variety of objects, ideas and people with a clichéd definition highlighting the ‘accepted’ opinions on them and instructions as to how to utilize such ideas to give the appearance of a culture-savvy citizen. For example:
‘BEETHOVEN: Do not pronounce Beathoven. Be sure to gush when one of his works is played.’
As noted on the back cover, much of the ‘devastating humor and irony are often dependent on the phrasing in vernacular French’, making a translation difficult, yet this New Directions edition, with introduction and translation by Jacques Barzun, does a well enough job of getting much of the general ideas, insults and irony across, making this a very funny read.
Barzun’s introduction offers a useful insight into the workings of this short book and Flaubert’s mindset in creating it. As Barzun points out, Flaubert was outspoken in his disgust with ‘philistines’ and considered the social norms of culture to be a direct affront on education and the educated artist. While there are statements made in this book which are at times necessarily true, Barzun asserts that ‘what damns them is the fact that they are the only thing ever said on the subject by the middling sensual man’. Flaubert, spending most of his time around society which was ‘not simply bourgeois and philistine, but invincibly repetitious and provincial’, created this book to denounce these repetitions of such cliched ideas that drove him mad. He stated that these ‘repetitions proved more than signs of dullness, they were philosophic clues from which he inferred the “transformation of the mind under machine capitalist”’(Barzun). This collection of repetitious ideas paints a comical caricature of this society Flaubert detested, yet offers such humorous depictions of the ideas presented that will have the reader laughing out loud at the bawdy satire. While writing this book, Flaubert stated in a letter, ‘After reading the book, one would be afraid to talk, for fear of using one of the phrases in it.’ The comedy is rich and, like a bad American comedy, desiring of quotation, yet quoting it ironically places you on the side of the philistines. If you can find this collection (especially if you speak French and can find it in it’s original form), I highly recommend flipping through it. It is often offensive, occasionally insightful, and always funny. Someone should remake this for the American redneck.
3/5 (while there are some gems, much of this is either lost on a modern/english speaking reader or just rather ordinary and un-funny. Worth reading for the funny though!)
A few gems include:
ARCHIMEDES: On hearing his name, shout “Eureka!”. Or else: ‘Give me a fulcrum and I will move the world.” There is also Archimedes’screw, but you are not expected to know that.
ARTIST: All charlatans. Praise their disintrestedness (old-fashioned). Express surprise that they dress like everyone else (old-fashioned). They earn huge sums and squander them. What artists do cannot be called work.
AUTHORS: One should ‘know a few’. Never mind their names
BUYING AND SELLING: The goal of life.
COFFE: Induces wit. Good only if it comes through Havre. After a big dinner party, it is taken standing up. Take is without sugar – very swank: gives the impression you’ve lived in the east.
EGG: Starting point for a philosophic lecture on the origin of life.
FAVOR: It is doing children a favor to slap them; animals, to beat them; servants, to fire them; criminals, to punish them.
GENTLEMEN: There aren't any left.
IMMORALITY: Distinctly enunciated, this word confers prestige on the user.
MACHIAVELLI: Though you have not read him, consider him a scoundrel.
NEIGHBORS: Try to have them do you favors without it costing you anything.
NOVELS: Corrupt the masses. Less immoral in serial than in volume form. Only historical novels should be allowed, because they teach history. Some novels are written on the point of a scalpel, others the point of a needle.
OPTIMIST: Synonym for imbecile.
PIDGIN: Always talk pidgin to make yourself understood by a foreigner, regardless of nationality. Use also for telegrams.
RELATIVES: Always a nuisance. Keep the poor ones out of sight.
REPUBLICANS: “The republicans are not all scoundrels, but all scoundrels are republicans!”
SELFISHNESS: Complain of other people's; overlook your own.
THINK (To): Painful. Things that compel us to think are generally neglected.
-Gustave Flaubert in a letter to George Sand
Flaubert’s Dictionary of Accepted Ideas is an ironic, witty, and outright humorous satire on the minds and manners of the everyday man, the philistines, as Flaubert would call them, that move within a higher society. Alphabetized within its pages are a wide variety of objects, ideas and people with a clichéd definition highlighting the ‘accepted’ opinions on them and instructions as to how to utilize such ideas to give the appearance of a culture-savvy citizen. For example:
‘BEETHOVEN: Do not pronounce Beathoven. Be sure to gush when one of his works is played.’
As noted on the back cover, much of the ‘devastating humor and irony are often dependent on the phrasing in vernacular French’, making a translation difficult, yet this New Directions edition, with introduction and translation by Jacques Barzun, does a well enough job of getting much of the general ideas, insults and irony across, making this a very funny read.
Barzun’s introduction offers a useful insight into the workings of this short book and Flaubert’s mindset in creating it. As Barzun points out, Flaubert was outspoken in his disgust with ‘philistines’ and considered the social norms of culture to be a direct affront on education and the educated artist. While there are statements made in this book which are at times necessarily true, Barzun asserts that ‘what damns them is the fact that they are the only thing ever said on the subject by the middling sensual man’. Flaubert, spending most of his time around society which was ‘not simply bourgeois and philistine, but invincibly repetitious and provincial’, created this book to denounce these repetitions of such cliched ideas that drove him mad. He stated that these ‘repetitions proved more than signs of dullness, they were philosophic clues from which he inferred the “transformation of the mind under machine capitalist”’(Barzun). This collection of repetitious ideas paints a comical caricature of this society Flaubert detested, yet offers such humorous depictions of the ideas presented that will have the reader laughing out loud at the bawdy satire. While writing this book, Flaubert stated in a letter, ‘After reading the book, one would be afraid to talk, for fear of using one of the phrases in it.’ The comedy is rich and, like a bad American comedy, desiring of quotation, yet quoting it ironically places you on the side of the philistines. If you can find this collection (especially if you speak French and can find it in it’s original form), I highly recommend flipping through it. It is often offensive, occasionally insightful, and always funny. Someone should remake this for the American redneck.
3/5 (while there are some gems, much of this is either lost on a modern/english speaking reader or just rather ordinary and un-funny. Worth reading for the funny though!)
A few gems include:
ARCHIMEDES: On hearing his name, shout “Eureka!”. Or else: ‘Give me a fulcrum and I will move the world.” There is also Archimedes’screw, but you are not expected to know that.
ARTIST: All charlatans. Praise their disintrestedness (old-fashioned). Express surprise that they dress like everyone else (old-fashioned). They earn huge sums and squander them. What artists do cannot be called work.
AUTHORS: One should ‘know a few’. Never mind their names
BUYING AND SELLING: The goal of life.
COFFE: Induces wit. Good only if it comes through Havre. After a big dinner party, it is taken standing up. Take is without sugar – very swank: gives the impression you’ve lived in the east.
EGG: Starting point for a philosophic lecture on the origin of life.
FAVOR: It is doing children a favor to slap them; animals, to beat them; servants, to fire them; criminals, to punish them.
GENTLEMEN: There aren't any left.
IMMORALITY: Distinctly enunciated, this word confers prestige on the user.
MACHIAVELLI: Though you have not read him, consider him a scoundrel.
NEIGHBORS: Try to have them do you favors without it costing you anything.
NOVELS: Corrupt the masses. Less immoral in serial than in volume form. Only historical novels should be allowed, because they teach history. Some novels are written on the point of a scalpel, others the point of a needle.
OPTIMIST: Synonym for imbecile.
PIDGIN: Always talk pidgin to make yourself understood by a foreigner, regardless of nationality. Use also for telegrams.
RELATIVES: Always a nuisance. Keep the poor ones out of sight.
REPUBLICANS: “The republicans are not all scoundrels, but all scoundrels are republicans!”
SELFISHNESS: Complain of other people's; overlook your own.
THINK (To): Painful. Things that compel us to think are generally neglected.
August 13, 2021
Also known as the Dictionary of Received Ideas. Written along with Flaubert's final novel, Bouvard and Pecuchet, which remained unfinished at the time of his death.
Translator Jaques Barzun, in his introduction, lets the reader know that it's an exceptionally difficult piece to translate because it's so rooted in cliche and idiom. I don't doubt it, yet what's here in English seems to contain the essence of Flaubert: his irony; contempt for mediocrity; sense of humor; inability to suffer foolishness (including his own); and perhaps his multiple bouts of syphilis.
Excerpts:
ABELARD. The grave of Abelard and Heloïse: if someone tells you it is apocryphal, exclaim: “You rob me of my illusions!”
AUTHORS. One should “know a few,” never mind their names.
BLONDES. Hotter than brunettes. (See BRUNETTES.)
BODY. If we knew how our body is made, we wouldn’t dare move.
BRUNETTES. Hotter than blondes. (See BLONDES.)
COMETS. Make fun of our ancestors who feared them.
FUNERAL. About the deceased: “To think that I had dinner with him a week ago.” Called obsequies if it’s a general; inhumation if it’s a philosopher.
GIBBERISH. Foreigners’ way of talking. Always make fun of the foreigner who murders French.
MAJOR (ARMY). Only to be found in hotel dining rooms.
MIDNIGHT. The farthest boundary of honest pleasures; beyond it, whatever is done is immoral.
NOVELS. Corrupt the masses. Are less immoral in serial than in volume form.
PRINTING. Marvelous invention. Has done more harm than good.
RAILWAYS. If Napoleon had had them, he would have been invincible. Talk about them ecstatically, saying: “I, my dear sir, who am speaking to you now—this morning I was at X; I had taken the X train, I transacted my business there, and by X o’clock I was back here.”
RAILWAY STATIONS. Gape with admiration; cite them as architectural wonders.
Translator Jaques Barzun, in his introduction, lets the reader know that it's an exceptionally difficult piece to translate because it's so rooted in cliche and idiom. I don't doubt it, yet what's here in English seems to contain the essence of Flaubert: his irony; contempt for mediocrity; sense of humor; inability to suffer foolishness (including his own); and perhaps his multiple bouts of syphilis.
Excerpts:
ABELARD. The grave of Abelard and Heloïse: if someone tells you it is apocryphal, exclaim: “You rob me of my illusions!”
AUTHORS. One should “know a few,” never mind their names.
BLONDES. Hotter than brunettes. (See BRUNETTES.)
BODY. If we knew how our body is made, we wouldn’t dare move.
BRUNETTES. Hotter than blondes. (See BLONDES.)
COMETS. Make fun of our ancestors who feared them.
FUNERAL. About the deceased: “To think that I had dinner with him a week ago.” Called obsequies if it’s a general; inhumation if it’s a philosopher.
GIBBERISH. Foreigners’ way of talking. Always make fun of the foreigner who murders French.
MAJOR (ARMY). Only to be found in hotel dining rooms.
MIDNIGHT. The farthest boundary of honest pleasures; beyond it, whatever is done is immoral.
NOVELS. Corrupt the masses. Are less immoral in serial than in volume form.
PRINTING. Marvelous invention. Has done more harm than good.
RAILWAYS. If Napoleon had had them, he would have been invincible. Talk about them ecstatically, saying: “I, my dear sir, who am speaking to you now—this morning I was at X; I had taken the X train, I transacted my business there, and by X o’clock I was back here.”
RAILWAY STATIONS. Gape with admiration; cite them as architectural wonders.
April 25, 2022
"মাঝে মাঝে লোকজনকে বেদম গাল দেবার জন্যে ভেতরটা চিড়বিড় করে ওঠে।"
কিন্তু সরাসরি গালিগালাজ করা তো সম্ভব নয়। ভেতরটা চিড়বিড় করে উঠলেও নয়। কারণ, একটা কথা আমরা সব্বাই মেনে নিয়েছি। যে-নর্দমায় আমরা বাস করি তার পোশাকি নাম "সভ্য সমাজ"। সভ্য সমাজে বাস করে একে-অপরকে গালিগালাজ করা যায় না, স্যার। কিন্তু... একটা কাজ করা যায়। একটা আয়না খাড়া করা যায় মানুষের সামনে। মানুষ তো নিজেরাই গালিগালাজ করে চলেছে অহরহ। তাদের সামনে যদি একটা আয়না রাখা যায়, তাহলে মাছও খাওয়া হবে, গলায় কাঁটাও ফুটবে না।
Vox populi, vox Dei. (জনতার কন্ঠ মানেই ঈশ্বরের কন্ঠ)
আহা, এমন একখান খাসা কথা দিয়ে শুরু করলেন তাঁর অভিধান। এমন একটি অভিধান, যেখানে নাকি তিনি সংগ্রহ করেছেন "প্রচলিত ধ্যানধারণা"-কে। "প্রচলিত ধ্যানধারণা" মানে? মানে সেই আয়নাটা, যার সামনে দাঁড়িয়ে মানুষ নিজেই নিজেদের গালি দেয়। জিজ্ঞেস করলে বলে, কেমন চুপ করিয়ে দিলাম বলো আয়নাটাকে? হুঁ হুঁ বাবা, চালাকি নয়, আমার নাম "জনতা"। আমার কন্ঠ মানেই ঈশ্বরের কন্ঠ। (গর্বের হাসি)
পুরোনো জিনিস (অ্যান্টিক) - আরে, ওগুলো সব হালে তৈরি !
শিল্প - কী কাজে লাগে বলুন? আজকাল তো যন্ত্রে 'আরো ভালো ও দ্রুত' কাজ পাওয়া যায় !
হাই - হাই তুলেই বলতে হবে : 'ইয়ে, মাপ করবেন, এটা বিরক্তি থেকে নয়, হজমের অসুবিধে থেকে'।
দাড়ি - গায়ের জোরের বাহ্যিক প্রমাণ। যারা দাড়ি রাখে তাদের গায়ের জোর বেশি। এবং তারাই প্রকৃত পুরুষ। বাকিরা সব মেয়েছেলে।
যুদ্ধ - সর্বদাই দুজন বিজয়ী হয় : বিজয়ী ও বিজেতা।
জন্তুজানোয়ার - অনেকেই মানুষের চেয়ে বুদ্ধিমান !
সোনালি চুলের নারী (ব্লন্ড) - কালো চুলদের চেয়ে 'উষ্ণ'।
কালো চুলের নারী (ব্রুনেট) - সোনালি চুলদের চেয়ে 'উষ্ণ'।
ঝি (কাজের লোক) - ঝি মাত্রেই বজ্জাত !
বৌদ্ধধর্ম - 'ভারতবর্ষের নকল ধর্ম'।
গ্রাম - সেখানে শৌচাগার নেই, সুতরাং কাপড় তুলে—
সারল্য - সব সময়ই 'মুগ্ধ করে দেওয়ার মতো'।
ডাক্তারির ছাত্র - মড়ার পাশে খায়, মড়ার পাশে শোয়। কেউ কেউ মড়া খায়।
দুঃস্বপ্ন - পেট থেকে উৎপত্তি।
সেলিব্রিটি - এদের সম্পর্কে ঠেস দিয়ে কথা বলতে হবে। এদের ব্যক্তিগত ছিদ্রান্বেষণ করতে হবে।
অকৃতদার - কী দুঃখের জীবন এদের !
শ্যাম্পেন - ওটা তো পান করা হয় না, 'গেলা' হয়।
চুল - ধুর, পরচুলা !
শল্যচিকিৎসক - এদের 'কশাই' বলে ডাকতে হবে।
ক্লাসিক - সব্বাই পড়েছে বলে ধরে নিতে হবে।
অসতীর স্বামী - প্রত্যেক স্ত্রীর উচিত স্বামীকে চুতিয়া বানানো।
সংকলন (compilation) - এর চেয়ে সহজ বই লেখা আর হতে পারে না।
আরাম (comfort) - অমূল্য আধুনিক আবিষ্কার।
কোষ্ঠকাঠিন্য - লেখাপড়া জানা লোকমাত্রেরই এটা থাকে।
মিলন - অশ্লীল কথা !
শরীর - আমাদের শরীরের ভেতরটা যে কীভাবে তৈরি, জানা থাকলে নড়াচড়া করতে ভয় পেতাম।
বেশ্যা - আমাদের মেয়ে-বোনেদের রক্ষা করে, যতদিন তারা অবিবাহিত।
সমালোচক - সর্বদাই 'খ্যাতনামা'।
৭৮ পৃষ্ঠার বই। মাত্র ৩৬ পৃষ্ঠা চলছে। এভাবে চললে রিভিউ অনেক বড় হয়ে যাবে। আচ্ছা, এবার শেষের দিক থেকে কয়েকটা খুঁজে বের করি, কেমন?
ওষুধ - যখন স্বাস্থ্য ভালো থাকবে তখন এটা নিয়ে ঠাট্টা করতে হবে।
বিষণ্নতা - উচ্চ মন আর বিশিষ্ট হৃদয়ের লক্ষণ।
ভোরে ওঠা - কেউ যদি ভোর চারটায় শুয়ে সকাল আটটায় ঘুম থেকে ওঠে তবে সে কুঁড়ে। কিন্তু কেউ যদি রাত নটায় শুয়ে ভোর পাঁচটায় ওঠে, তবে সে খুব কাজের লোক।
লেবেনচুষ - কেউ জানে না কী দিয়ে তৈরি !
জঘন্য - 'জঘন্য !'
ইঞ্জিনিয়ার - এরা সর্বজ্ঞানের অধিকারী।
গালি দেওয়া - কী মিষ্টি কথা !
সাফল্য - ঘুম ছুটিয়ে দেয়।
রোগী - রোগীর মনোবল বাড়াতে হলে তার অসুখটিকে নিয়ে হাসাহাসি করতে হবে ও তার যন্ত্রণাকে অস্বীকার করতে হবে।
অঙ্ক - হৃদয়ের রস শুষে নেয়।
নিগ্রো - ওদের থুতুর রং সাদা, এটা কী করে সম্ভব হল?!
নিসর্গচিত্র - কয়েক থালা শাকসবজি !
চিন্তা করা - কষ্টসাধ্য ব্যাপার।
প্রগতি - এত দ্রুত হয়েছে যে লোকে ধরতেই পারেনি।
ভগবান - তাঁকে ছাড়া আমাদের চলবে কী করে?
ওহ, হাঁফিয়ে গেছি। আর না।
বলতে ভুলেই যাচ্ছিলাম ! এই অভিধানটি সংকলন করেছেন মাদাম বোভারি-র লেখক গুস্তাভ ফ্লবের। আমার কাছে যেটা আছে সেটা চিন্ময় গুহ-র করা বাংলা অনুবাদ। চমৎকার অনুবাদ করেছেন। বইটা নাড়াচাড়া করতে মাঝেমাঝে কেমন যেন ইয়ে লাগে। "কিছু কিছু বাক্যের সঙ্গে নিজের বক্তব্য হুবহু মিলে যায় !" আমিও তো একজন জনতা।
বলদ - বাছুরের বাপ। ষাঁড় হল গিয়ে তার কাকা।
কিন্তু সরাসরি গালিগালাজ করা তো সম্ভব নয়। ভেতরটা চিড়বিড় করে উঠলেও নয়। কারণ, একটা কথা আমরা সব্বাই মেনে নিয়েছি। যে-নর্দমায় আমরা বাস করি তার পোশাকি নাম "সভ্য সমাজ"। সভ্য সমাজে বাস করে একে-অপরকে গালিগালাজ করা যায় না, স্যার। কিন্তু... একটা কাজ করা যায়। একটা আয়না খাড়া করা যায় মানুষের সামনে। মানুষ তো নিজেরাই গালিগালাজ করে চলেছে অহরহ। তাদের সামনে যদি একটা আয়না রাখা যায়, তাহলে মাছও খাওয়া হবে, গলায় কাঁটাও ফুটবে না।
Vox populi, vox Dei. (জনতার কন্ঠ মানেই ঈশ্বরের কন্ঠ)
আহা, এমন একখান খাসা কথা দিয়ে শুরু করলেন তাঁর অভিধান। এমন একটি অভিধান, যেখানে নাকি তিনি সংগ্রহ করেছেন "প্রচলিত ধ্যানধারণা"-কে। "প্রচলিত ধ্যানধারণা" মানে? মানে সেই আয়নাটা, যার সামনে দাঁড়িয়ে মানুষ নিজেই নিজেদের গালি দেয়। জিজ্ঞেস করলে বলে, কেমন চুপ করিয়ে দিলাম বলো আয়নাটাকে? হুঁ হুঁ বাবা, চালাকি নয়, আমার নাম "জনতা"। আমার কন্ঠ মানেই ঈশ্বরের কন্ঠ। (গর্বের হাসি)
পুরোনো জিনিস (অ্যান্টিক) - আরে, ওগুলো সব হালে তৈরি !
শিল্প - কী কাজে লাগে বলুন? আজকাল তো যন্ত্রে 'আরো ভালো ও দ্রুত' কাজ পাওয়া যায় !
হাই - হাই তুলেই বলতে হবে : 'ইয়ে, মাপ করবেন, এটা বিরক্তি থেকে নয়, হজমের অসুবিধে থেকে'।
দাড়ি - গায়ের জোরের বাহ্যিক প্রমাণ। যারা দাড়ি রাখে তাদের গায়ের জোর বেশি। এবং তারাই প্রকৃত পুরুষ। বাকিরা সব মেয়েছেলে।
যুদ্ধ - সর্বদাই দুজন বিজয়ী হয় : বিজয়ী ও বিজেতা।
জন্তুজানোয়ার - অনেকেই মানুষের চেয়ে বুদ্ধিমান !
সোনালি চুলের নারী (ব্লন্ড) - কালো চুলদের চেয়ে 'উষ্ণ'।
কালো চুলের নারী (ব্রুনেট) - সোনালি চুলদের চেয়ে 'উষ্ণ'।
ঝি (কাজের লোক) - ঝি মাত্রেই বজ্জাত !
বৌদ্ধধর্ম - 'ভারতবর্ষের নকল ধর্ম'।
গ্রাম - সেখানে শৌচাগার নেই, সুতরাং কাপড় তুলে—
সারল্য - সব সময়ই 'মুগ্ধ করে দেওয়ার মতো'।
ডাক্তারির ছাত্র - মড়ার পাশে খায়, মড়ার পাশে শোয়। কেউ কেউ মড়া খায়।
দুঃস্বপ্ন - পেট থেকে উৎপত্তি।
সেলিব্রিটি - এদের সম্পর্কে ঠেস দিয়ে কথা বলতে হবে। এদের ব্যক্তিগত ছিদ্রান্বেষণ করতে হবে।
অকৃতদার - কী দুঃখের জীবন এদের !
শ্যাম্পেন - ওটা তো পান করা হয় না, 'গেলা' হয়।
চুল - ধুর, পরচুলা !
শল্যচিকিৎসক - এদের 'কশাই' বলে ডাকতে হবে।
ক্লাসিক - সব্বাই পড়েছে বলে ধরে নিতে হবে।
অসতীর স্বামী - প্রত্যেক স্ত্রীর উচিত স্বামীকে চুতিয়া বানানো।
সংকলন (compilation) - এর চেয়ে সহজ বই লেখা আর হতে পারে না।
আরাম (comfort) - অমূল্য আধুনিক আবিষ্কার।
কোষ্ঠকাঠিন্য - লেখাপড়া জানা লোকমাত্রেরই এটা থাকে।
মিলন - অশ্লীল কথা !
শরীর - আমাদের শরীরের ভেতরটা যে কীভাবে তৈরি, জানা থাকলে নড়াচড়া করতে ভয় পেতাম।
বেশ্যা - আমাদের মেয়ে-বোনেদের রক্ষা করে, যতদিন তারা অবিবাহিত।
সমালোচক - সর্বদাই 'খ্যাতনামা'।
৭৮ পৃষ্ঠার বই। মাত্র ৩৬ পৃষ্ঠা চলছে। এভাবে চললে রিভিউ অনেক বড় হয়ে যাবে। আচ্ছা, এবার শেষের দিক থেকে কয়েকটা খুঁজে বের করি, কেমন?
ওষুধ - যখন স্বাস্থ্য ভালো থাকবে তখন এটা নিয়ে ঠাট্টা করতে হবে।
বিষণ্নতা - উচ্চ মন আর বিশিষ্ট হৃদয়ের লক্ষণ।
ভোরে ওঠা - কেউ যদি ভোর চারটায় শুয়ে সকাল আটটায় ঘুম থেকে ওঠে তবে সে কুঁড়ে। কিন্তু কেউ যদি রাত নটায় শুয়ে ভোর পাঁচটায় ওঠে, তবে সে খুব কাজের লোক।
লেবেনচুষ - কেউ জানে না কী দিয়ে তৈরি !
জঘন্য - 'জঘন্য !'
ইঞ্জিনিয়ার - এরা সর্বজ্ঞানের অধিকারী।
গালি দেওয়া - কী মিষ্টি কথা !
সাফল্য - ঘুম ছুটিয়ে দেয়।
রোগী - রোগীর মনোবল বাড়াতে হলে তার অসুখটিকে নিয়ে হাসাহাসি করতে হবে ও তার যন্ত্রণাকে অস্বীকার করতে হবে।
অঙ্ক - হৃদয়ের রস শুষে নেয়।
নিগ্রো - ওদের থুতুর রং সাদা, এটা কী করে সম্ভব হল?!
নিসর্গচিত্র - কয়েক থালা শাকসবজি !
চিন্তা করা - কষ্টসাধ্য ব্যাপার।
প্রগতি - এত দ্রুত হয়েছে যে লোকে ধরতেই পারেনি।
ভগবান - তাঁকে ছাড়া আমাদের চলবে কী করে?
ওহ, হাঁফিয়ে গেছি। আর না।
বলতে ভুলেই যাচ্ছিলাম ! এই অভিধানটি সংকলন করেছেন মাদাম বোভারি-র লেখক গুস্তাভ ফ্লবের। আমার কাছে যেটা আছে সেটা চিন্ময় গুহ-র করা বাংলা অনুবাদ। চমৎকার অনুবাদ করেছেন। বইটা নাড়াচাড়া করতে মাঝেমাঝে কেমন যেন ইয়ে লাগে। "কিছু কিছু বাক্যের সঙ্গে নিজের বক্তব্য হুবহু মিলে যায় !" আমিও তো একজন জনতা।
বলদ - বাছুরের বাপ। ষাঁড় হল গিয়ে তার কাকা।
October 25, 2010
Flaubert, Gustave. Say he was a genius, but some of his books are more accessible than others. Mention the ending of Madame Bovary.
Idées reçues, dictionnaire des. Praise it as incredibly funny and insightful. Ignore the hundreds of entries that aren't the least bit amusing.
Idées reçues, dictionnaire des. Praise it as incredibly funny and insightful. Ignore the hundreds of entries that aren't the least bit amusing.
June 5, 2010
Lori Ellison: The New Dictionary of Received Ideas
My Notes|Notes about Me|Lori's Profile
The New Dictionary of Received IdeasShare
Wednesday, May 5, 2010 at 9:47pm | Edit Note | Delete
This is a stub, feel free to add. I've caught myself at some of these so it is for all of us. I am working on this in the spirit of Flaubert's from his particular take on his milieu in the 19th c in France from ours in the turn of the millenium here in New York.
Asperger's Syndrome: Nearly everyone mathematically or scientifically brilliant had it. Undiagnosed for so long. Talk about someone brilliant but unable to read people's faces in your family history who must have had it.
Berlin: Explain how you would like to live there like David Bowie. Say where you were when the Berlin Wall fell. Pronounce "Ich bin ein Berliner." Try your JFK accent.
Bios: Talk the latest prize, grant, publication, residency or anything that you have won to each other. Walk away if there isn't any bio talk forthcoming from the suitably impressed other party.
Borges: Was blind. The map the exact size of the territory. The writer who retypes Don Quixote. Use "Borgesian" in conversation.
BP Oil Spill: first topic of conversation until there is another one to transplant it.
Coffee: Newly opened cafes serving coffee rather than ale helped create the Enlightenment. Those simple European espresso makers that go on a burner are made of aluminum, which can contribute to Alzheimer's. Caffeine can cause cysts in the breasts.
Derrida: Deconstruction and differance. Pronounce the latter with a French accent. Wonder aloud why no one talks about postmodernism anymore, or deconstructing anything.
Dyslexic: Use to mean stupid about someone not there. Claim yourself as an undiagnosed dyslexic when you were in school if you are of a certain age, and have been brilliantly successful in a non-academic, creative field, like derivatives trading, Hollywood, or abstract painting.
Enlightenment: Talk about combining the Eastern notion of enlightenment with the 18th Century period also known as the Enlightenment.
Freud: Eat the father. Call certain situations Oedipal. The Pleasure Principle. The Death Instinct. Call something someone said a Freudian slip. Find phallic symbols in absolutely everything that is longer than it is wide ad infinitum. Dub someone anal.
Foucault: Was into S&M. Gay S&M. The Ancien Regime and the Panopticon. Discipline and Punish. Use this phrase to bring it back to discussing S&M.
The French: Why listen to a country who thought Jerry Lewis was a genius. Remark on how none of the French were ever the slightest bit rude or condescending to you personally, contrary to the stories you had heard so much before going from practically everybody.
Global Warming: Remark how nobody talks about global warming in the dead of winter.
Green Party: Is strong in Germany. Wonder aloud if it can get a major political footing anywhere. Mention Global warming.
Hegel: Thesis, antithesis, synthesis. Use this formula for whatever equation and then mention, as in Hegel. Use "Hegelian."
Heidegger: Was a Nazi sympathizer. Wrote about Being and Existenz. Sartre ripped him off.
Hot Dogs: Don't eat them. Nitrates.
Hot Weather: Mention global warming.
Isaiah (Berlin): Tell the hedgehog and the fox story and apply it to anyone having been discussed.
JFK: speculate on Marilyn Monroe. Then talk about pet conspiracy theories.
Madeleine: Proust's.
Jung: (con) Was a Nazi sympathizer. If you get this in first shuts down having to hear:
(pro) There is a collective unconscious. The ubiquitousness of Sun Gods is one example that proves it. Mention there was a woman who you thought was your anima when you were younger. The Puer and Senex. Alchemy wasn't a misgided search for gold, it was an inner search. James Hillman.
Orwell: Call anything that reminds you of his writing Orwellian.
My Notes|Notes about Me|Lori's Profile
The New Dictionary of Received IdeasShare
Wednesday, May 5, 2010 at 9:47pm | Edit Note | Delete
This is a stub, feel free to add. I've caught myself at some of these so it is for all of us. I am working on this in the spirit of Flaubert's from his particular take on his milieu in the 19th c in France from ours in the turn of the millenium here in New York.
Asperger's Syndrome: Nearly everyone mathematically or scientifically brilliant had it. Undiagnosed for so long. Talk about someone brilliant but unable to read people's faces in your family history who must have had it.
Berlin: Explain how you would like to live there like David Bowie. Say where you were when the Berlin Wall fell. Pronounce "Ich bin ein Berliner." Try your JFK accent.
Bios: Talk the latest prize, grant, publication, residency or anything that you have won to each other. Walk away if there isn't any bio talk forthcoming from the suitably impressed other party.
Borges: Was blind. The map the exact size of the territory. The writer who retypes Don Quixote. Use "Borgesian" in conversation.
BP Oil Spill: first topic of conversation until there is another one to transplant it.
Coffee: Newly opened cafes serving coffee rather than ale helped create the Enlightenment. Those simple European espresso makers that go on a burner are made of aluminum, which can contribute to Alzheimer's. Caffeine can cause cysts in the breasts.
Derrida: Deconstruction and differance. Pronounce the latter with a French accent. Wonder aloud why no one talks about postmodernism anymore, or deconstructing anything.
Dyslexic: Use to mean stupid about someone not there. Claim yourself as an undiagnosed dyslexic when you were in school if you are of a certain age, and have been brilliantly successful in a non-academic, creative field, like derivatives trading, Hollywood, or abstract painting.
Enlightenment: Talk about combining the Eastern notion of enlightenment with the 18th Century period also known as the Enlightenment.
Freud: Eat the father. Call certain situations Oedipal. The Pleasure Principle. The Death Instinct. Call something someone said a Freudian slip. Find phallic symbols in absolutely everything that is longer than it is wide ad infinitum. Dub someone anal.
Foucault: Was into S&M. Gay S&M. The Ancien Regime and the Panopticon. Discipline and Punish. Use this phrase to bring it back to discussing S&M.
The French: Why listen to a country who thought Jerry Lewis was a genius. Remark on how none of the French were ever the slightest bit rude or condescending to you personally, contrary to the stories you had heard so much before going from practically everybody.
Global Warming: Remark how nobody talks about global warming in the dead of winter.
Green Party: Is strong in Germany. Wonder aloud if it can get a major political footing anywhere. Mention Global warming.
Hegel: Thesis, antithesis, synthesis. Use this formula for whatever equation and then mention, as in Hegel. Use "Hegelian."
Heidegger: Was a Nazi sympathizer. Wrote about Being and Existenz. Sartre ripped him off.
Hot Dogs: Don't eat them. Nitrates.
Hot Weather: Mention global warming.
Isaiah (Berlin): Tell the hedgehog and the fox story and apply it to anyone having been discussed.
JFK: speculate on Marilyn Monroe. Then talk about pet conspiracy theories.
Madeleine: Proust's.
Jung: (con) Was a Nazi sympathizer. If you get this in first shuts down having to hear:
(pro) There is a collective unconscious. The ubiquitousness of Sun Gods is one example that proves it. Mention there was a woman who you thought was your anima when you were younger. The Puer and Senex. Alchemy wasn't a misgided search for gold, it was an inner search. James Hillman.
Orwell: Call anything that reminds you of his writing Orwellian.
October 29, 2021
In "Flaubert in the Ruins of Paris," Peter Brooks gave a concise description of "The Dictionary of Received Ideas."
"Flaubert’s last, unfinished novel, Bouvard and Pécuchet, will use indirect discourse to realize a world of stupidities, culminating in the famous sottisier, or Dictionary of Received Ideas, made up of all the clichés—and clichés defining clichés—that he could collect."
The "Dictionary" was to be an addendum to "Bouvard and Pécuchet" and some editions of the novel include it as such. It's a quick and amusing read, and I believe those who liked the novel will also enjoy the dictionary.
Flaubert's dictionary may be compared to Ambrose Bierce’s “Devils Dictionary.” But the definitions in Bierce’s book displayed his caustic wit aimed directly at numerous subjects whereas Flaubert’s dictionary is a collection of “stupidities” gleaned from conversations among bourgeois males of his generation. In other words, Bierce’s satirical method is direct and Flaubert’s, as Brooks said, is indirect.
One caveat: Contemporary readers, especially those who are reading in translation and/or are unfamiliar with French history and the culture of the period, could miss much of the humor. In that regard, I'd say the footnotes and translator's notes in this edition are quite helpful
"Flaubert’s last, unfinished novel, Bouvard and Pécuchet, will use indirect discourse to realize a world of stupidities, culminating in the famous sottisier, or Dictionary of Received Ideas, made up of all the clichés—and clichés defining clichés—that he could collect."
The "Dictionary" was to be an addendum to "Bouvard and Pécuchet" and some editions of the novel include it as such. It's a quick and amusing read, and I believe those who liked the novel will also enjoy the dictionary.
Flaubert's dictionary may be compared to Ambrose Bierce’s “Devils Dictionary.” But the definitions in Bierce’s book displayed his caustic wit aimed directly at numerous subjects whereas Flaubert’s dictionary is a collection of “stupidities” gleaned from conversations among bourgeois males of his generation. In other words, Bierce’s satirical method is direct and Flaubert’s, as Brooks said, is indirect.
One caveat: Contemporary readers, especially those who are reading in translation and/or are unfamiliar with French history and the culture of the period, could miss much of the humor. In that regard, I'd say the footnotes and translator's notes in this edition are quite helpful
September 29, 2018
গুস্তাভ ফ্লবার্টের এই অদ্ভুত অভিধানের ভূয়সী প্রশংসা করেছিলেন তারাপদ রায়। সেই থেকে এই বইটি পড়ার ইচ্ছা। আজ পড়েই ফেললাম "Dictionary Of Accepted Ideas"। একই পুস্তক " Dictionary Of Received Ideas" নামেও বাজারে মেলে। বইটির বাংলায় চমৎকার চলনসই ��াম দিয়েছেন চিন্ময় গুহ। তাঁর দেওয়া নাম 'আহম্মকের অভিধান'!
এইরূপ কিম্ভূতকিমাকার নাম কেন? ফরাসি ফ্লবার্ট সাহেবের অভিধানে A থেকে Z অবধি সকল বর্ণই আছে। তার মানেও বের করেছেন তিনি। পড়তে গিয়ে ফ্লবার্টের তীক্ষ্ণ পর্যবেক্ষণ শক্তির পরিচয় পেয়েছি। লক্ষ করেছি সমাজের প্রচলিত প্রথা,কানুনের অন্তঃসারশূন্যতাকে ব্যঙ্গ করার ক্ষমতা। ফ্লবার্টের স্বদেশি লা রোশফুকো'র ম্যাক্সিম আর আমাদের হুমায়ুন আজাদের প্রবচন গুচ্ছ'র সাথে সরাসরি মিল হয়তো নেই। অমিল যে খুববেশি তা বোধহয় বলা ঠিক হবেনা। উচ্চমার্গীয় গ্রন্থ এটি তা নয়। কিন্তু প্রথাগত বইপুস্তকের শ্রেণিতে একে ফেলা যায়না। সচারচর এমন উল্টোধারার অভিধানও চোখে পরেনা। তা লিখবার যে রীতির চর্চা আছে এমনও নয়। এসব দিক বিবেচনায় ফ্লবার্টের 'উল্টোপুরাণ' অভিনব। তাতে সন্দেহ নেই। গঁৎবাঁধা জনারার বই তো বেশি বৈ কম পড়া হল না। এবার নাহয় 'আহম্মকের অভিধান'ই পড়লাম। ফ্লবার্ট প্রণীত অভিধানের নমুনা পেশ করছি। বাকি বিবেচনা আপনার -
" AMERICA. Famous examples of injustice: Columbus discovered it and it is named after Amerigo Vespucci. If it weren’t for the discovery of America, we should not be suffering from syphilis and phylloxera.5 Exalt it all the same, expecially if you’ve never been there. Lecture people on self-government. "
" BATTLE. Always “bloody.” There are always two sets of victors: those who won and those who lost."
"CENSORSHIP. “Say what you will, it’s a good thing.”
"CONCERT. Respectable way to kill time."
"CRITIC. Always “eminent.” Supposed to know everything, read everything, see everything. When you dislike him, call him a Zoilus, a eunuch."
"CROCODILE. Imitates the cry of a child to lure men."
"DOG. Specially created to save its master’s life; man’s best friend."
"GIRAFFE. Polite word to avoid calling a woman an old cow."
"IDIOTS. Those who differ with you."
"MEDICINE. When in good health, make fun of it."
এইরূপ কিম্ভূতকিমাকার নাম কেন? ফরাসি ফ্লবার্ট সাহেবের অভিধানে A থেকে Z অবধি সকল বর্ণই আছে। তার মানেও বের করেছেন তিনি। পড়তে গিয়ে ফ্লবার্টের তীক্ষ্ণ পর্যবেক্ষণ শক্তির পরিচয় পেয়েছি। লক্ষ করেছি সমাজের প্রচলিত প্রথা,কানুনের অন্তঃসারশূন্যতাকে ব্যঙ্গ করার ক্ষমতা। ফ্লবার্টের স্বদেশি লা রোশফুকো'র ম্যাক্সিম আর আমাদের হুমায়ুন আজাদের প্রবচন গুচ্ছ'র সাথে সরাসরি মিল হয়তো নেই। অমিল যে খুববেশি তা বোধহয় বলা ঠিক হবেনা। উচ্চমার্গীয় গ্রন্থ এটি তা নয়। কিন্তু প্রথাগত বইপুস্তকের শ্রেণিতে একে ফেলা যায়না। সচারচর এমন উল্টোধারার অভিধানও চোখে পরেনা। তা লিখবার যে রীতির চর্চা আছে এমনও নয়। এসব দিক বিবেচনায় ফ্লবার্টের 'উল্টোপুরাণ' অভিনব। তাতে সন্দেহ নেই। গঁৎবাঁধা জনারার বই তো বেশি বৈ কম পড়া হল না। এবার নাহয় 'আহম্মকের অভিধান'ই পড়লাম। ফ্লবার্ট প্রণীত অভিধানের নমুনা পেশ করছি। বাকি বিবেচনা আপনার -
" AMERICA. Famous examples of injustice: Columbus discovered it and it is named after Amerigo Vespucci. If it weren’t for the discovery of America, we should not be suffering from syphilis and phylloxera.5 Exalt it all the same, expecially if you’ve never been there. Lecture people on self-government. "
" BATTLE. Always “bloody.” There are always two sets of victors: those who won and those who lost."
"CENSORSHIP. “Say what you will, it’s a good thing.”
"CONCERT. Respectable way to kill time."
"CRITIC. Always “eminent.” Supposed to know everything, read everything, see everything. When you dislike him, call him a Zoilus, a eunuch."
"CROCODILE. Imitates the cry of a child to lure men."
"DOG. Specially created to save its master’s life; man’s best friend."
"GIRAFFE. Polite word to avoid calling a woman an old cow."
"IDIOTS. Those who differ with you."
"MEDICINE. When in good health, make fun of it."
September 2, 2018
Here is you a bunch of biting and juicy sketches on the denizens in the days of Flaubert. A treat fit for gods :)
Literary sibling : The Unabridged Devil's Dictionary
------------------------------------
Un bouquet d'observations mordantes et savoureuses sur les contemporains de Flaubert ! Ça se déguste sans faim :)
Cousin littéraire : The Unabridged Devil's Dictionary
Literary sibling : The Unabridged Devil's Dictionary
------------------------------------
Un bouquet d'observations mordantes et savoureuses sur les contemporains de Flaubert ! Ça se déguste sans faim :)
Cousin littéraire : The Unabridged Devil's Dictionary
January 5, 2022
Un dicționar „poetic” cu definiții inedite pentru termeni banali (cafea, carte, usturoi...), pe care doar Flaubert putea să le născocească.
Înger: Face impresie în amor și literatură.
Ruine: Predispun la visare și dau o înfățișare poetică oricărui peisaj.
Usturoi: Omoară viermii intestinali și-ți ațâță pofta să faci dragoste. De cum a venit pe lume, Henric IV a fost frecat pe buze cu usturoi.
Înger: Face impresie în amor și literatură.
Ruine: Predispun la visare și dau o înfățișare poetică oricărui peisaj.
Usturoi: Omoară viermii intestinali și-ți ațâță pofta să faci dragoste. De cum a venit pe lume, Henric IV a fost frecat pe buze cu usturoi.
May 27, 2023
ძალიან კარგი გასართობია, ბევრი ვიცინე, ცოტა ახალი რაღაცებიც ვისწავლე მაგრამ ამ სექსიზმს ვერაფერი მოვიხერხე და ამიტომაც 4/5 -დან.
იდალური და სახალისო გადაწყვეტილებაა დროს გასაყვანად.
იდალური და სახალისო გადაწყვეტილებაა დროს გასაყვანად.
December 10, 2019
Highly amusing. The Dictionary of Accepted Ideas (also published as "Received Ideas") reads as an encyclopedic compendium of clichés, misconceptions, platitudes and absurdities. It could also be considered a sort of dummy's guide to late 19th century French narrow-minded attitiudes and manneristic style. A lot of items haven't aged well, being tied in to the fashions and politics of the times, while a disturbingly large fraction of these idiocies read as contemporary as anything form online flamewars today; but even with mysterious entries, the ironic ambiguity and merciless satire come through.
Regarded as a possible paratext to the famous last, posthumous novel Bouvard et Pécuchet, it seems to me a perfect introduction to Flaubert's satirical side.
Regarded as a possible paratext to the famous last, posthumous novel Bouvard et Pécuchet, it seems to me a perfect introduction to Flaubert's satirical side.
September 23, 2018
"DEICIDIO: Indignarsi contro, per quanto il delitto non sia frequente." (p. 41)
"IMBECILLE: Chiunque la pensa diversamente da noi." (p. 67)
"LIBRO: Qualunque sia, sempre troppo lungo." (p. 75)
"PENSARE: Increscioso. Le cose che ci costringono a farlo vengono di solito accantonate." (p. 91)
"IMBECILLE: Chiunque la pensa diversamente da noi." (p. 67)
"LIBRO: Qualunque sia, sempre troppo lungo." (p. 75)
"PENSARE: Increscioso. Le cose che ci costringono a farlo vengono di solito accantonate." (p. 91)
March 15, 2022
ძაამ სახალისო რამეა.
August 30, 2020
O kadar çok işaretlenecek madde vardı ki hiçbirini işaretlemedim. Bilirbilmezler'i tekrar elime almadan önce çok keyifli bir giriş oldu. Gülmek isteyen bu kitaba sarılsın.
October 29, 2017
Sembra che l'unico modo per neutralizzare un luogo comune sia eliminarne l'oggetto (reale) di riferimento. Potrebbe rivelarsi preziosissimo per chi voglia fare autentica filosofia e sia alla ricerca di un plausibile punto di partenza.
January 27, 2008
Quite possibly one of my favourite books ever.
March 20, 2018
Amusant, avec un sens particulier de l’ironie et rapide. Parfait pour le métro!
January 13, 2022
Yazar kendine has üslubuyla bir sözlük oluşturmuş, keyifle okudum.
YATAK ODASI (chambre à coucher): Eski bir şatonun yatak odasında Henri IV mutlaka bir gece geçirmiştir.
YATAK ODASI (chambre à coucher): Eski bir şatonun yatak odasında Henri IV mutlaka bir gece geçirmiştir.
October 31, 2018
Un piccolo ricettacolo di delizie.
ACHILLE: aggiungere “dal piè veloce” fa credere che si sia letto Omero
AGENTI DI BORSA: Tutti ladri.
ÀMBITO: Suona bene nei discorsi ufficiali: “Signori, in quest’àmbito…”
AMERICA: Bell’esempio di ingiustizia: Colombo la scoprì e adesso porta il nome di Amerigo Vespucci. Fare un discorsetto sul self – government. Senza la scoperta dell’America non avremmo né la sifilide né la filossera. Ciò nondimeno esaltarla, soprattutto se non ci si è mai stati.
CORANO. Libro di Maometto che parla solo di donne.
CROCEFISSO. Fa bella figura nell'alcova e sulla gigliottina.
GELATAI: Tutti napoletani.
MACELLAI. Terribili in tempo di rivoluzione.
PENSARE. Increscioso. Le cose che ci costringono a farlo vengono di solito accantonate... e così via.
............
Flaubert ha dunque catalogato l'umana stupidità?
Non propriamente. Autentica vittima dei suo strali non è lo stupido, ma -secondo Michele Serra- il conformista.
«È il ripetitore convinto, entusiasta, di ciò che è già stato detto, che non è pensato e definito secondo i crismi del giudizio personale o dell’esperienza, ma solamente per poter stare rispettabilmente in società con l’inoffensiva cordialità delle opinioni condivise. Meglio: delle parole condivise, quelle che producono il suono confortante del già udito».
N.B. L'edizione esaminata non è questa. Sto leggendo Flaubert in "Tutti i romanzi (eNewton Classici)"
ACHILLE: aggiungere “dal piè veloce” fa credere che si sia letto Omero
AGENTI DI BORSA: Tutti ladri.
ÀMBITO: Suona bene nei discorsi ufficiali: “Signori, in quest’àmbito…”
AMERICA: Bell’esempio di ingiustizia: Colombo la scoprì e adesso porta il nome di Amerigo Vespucci. Fare un discorsetto sul self – government. Senza la scoperta dell’America non avremmo né la sifilide né la filossera. Ciò nondimeno esaltarla, soprattutto se non ci si è mai stati.
CORANO. Libro di Maometto che parla solo di donne.
CROCEFISSO. Fa bella figura nell'alcova e sulla gigliottina.
GELATAI: Tutti napoletani.
MACELLAI. Terribili in tempo di rivoluzione.
PENSARE. Increscioso. Le cose che ci costringono a farlo vengono di solito accantonate... e così via.
............
Flaubert ha dunque catalogato l'umana stupidità?
Non propriamente. Autentica vittima dei suo strali non è lo stupido, ma -secondo Michele Serra- il conformista.
«È il ripetitore convinto, entusiasta, di ciò che è già stato detto, che non è pensato e definito secondo i crismi del giudizio personale o dell’esperienza, ma solamente per poter stare rispettabilmente in società con l’inoffensiva cordialità delle opinioni condivise. Meglio: delle parole condivise, quelle che producono il suono confortante del già udito».
N.B. L'edizione esaminata non è questa. Sto leggendo Flaubert in "Tutti i romanzi (eNewton Classici)"
September 3, 2018
ΟΚ, αρκετά από τα «λήμματα» του «λεξικού» αυτού δείχνουν την ηλικία τους, καθώς σήμερα, τελείως εκτός συμφραζόμενων, δεν βγάζουν και πολύ νόημα, αλλά ένας εντυπωσιακά μεγάλος αριθμός των κοινών τόπων που καταγράφονται συναντάται ακόμη και στις μέρες μας στα λόγια, την πένα και το πληκτρολόγιο θλιβερά πολλών ανθρώπων γύρω μας (φανταστείτε το μέγεθος της κοινοτοπίας, όταν πρόκειται για μια φράση ή σκέψη που ήταν ήδη κοινότοπη την εποχή του Γάλλου συγγραφέα). Μερικά χαρακτηριστικά παραδείγματα της οξυδέρκειας του Φλομπέρ:
ΔΥΣΤΥΧΗΜΑ: πάντα «θλιβερό» ή «τραγικό»· θαρρείς και θα 'πρεπε κάποτε να δεχτούμε τη συμφορά σαν πράγμα διασκεδαστικό.
ΖΕΣΤΗ: Πάντα αφόρητη. Μην πίνετε όταν κάνει ζέστη.
ΝΤΕΚΑΡΤ: Cogito ergo sum.
ΨΕΥΔΑΙΣΘΗΣΕΙΣ: Υποκριθείτε πως έχετε πολλές. Και να παραπονιέστε που τις χάσατε.
ΗΛΙΘΙΟΙ: Όσοι δεν σκέφτονται όπως εσείς.
ΣΤΡΩΜΑ: Όσο πιο σκληρό είναι, τόσο πιο υγιεινό.
ΕΡΕΙΠΙΑ: Μας ωθούν στην ονειροπόληση και προσδίδουν ποίηση στο τοπίο.
ΥΓ. Η μετάφραση θα μπορούσε να είναι καλύτερη...
ΔΥΣΤΥΧΗΜΑ: πάντα «θλιβερό» ή «τραγικό»· θαρρείς και θα 'πρεπε κάποτε να δεχτούμε τη συμφορά σαν πράγμα διασκεδαστικό.
ΖΕΣΤΗ: Πάντα αφόρητη. Μην πίνετε όταν κάνει ζέστη.
ΝΤΕΚΑΡΤ: Cogito ergo sum.
ΨΕΥΔΑΙΣΘΗΣΕΙΣ: Υποκριθείτε πως έχετε πολλές. Και να παραπονιέστε που τις χάσατε.
ΗΛΙΘΙΟΙ: Όσοι δεν σκέφτονται όπως εσείς.
ΣΤΡΩΜΑ: Όσο πιο σκληρό είναι, τόσο πιο υγιεινό.
ΕΡΕΙΠΙΑ: Μας ωθούν στην ονειροπόληση και προσδίδουν ποίηση στο τοπίο.
ΥΓ. Η μετάφραση θα μπορούσε να είναι καλύτερη...
December 17, 2012
Divertidísimo y esencial libro. Sirve para poner en jaque las ideas preconcebidas que uno suele tener de las cosas comunes y que suelta en pláticas sin más ni más. Todos tenemos algo así y hemos dicho cosas similares. Claro, también sirve para dejarnos ver el pensamiento de la época y como, sobre esos lugares comunes, también puede construirse o más bien, se construye la base de la literatura misma. Además, nos pone en evidencia: siempre hemos pensado más o menos lo mismo, siempre terminamos con juicios de valor más o menos iguales, ya sea en la francia del siglo xix o en el México contemporáneo. Los detalles, hay que ponerle atención a los detalles y siempre analizar lo que se dice en las afectadas pláticas de cafetín o en los salones de belleza.
August 8, 2023
Penso proprio che prenderò ispirazione da te, Flaubert e inizierò anche io a raccogliere in un volumetto tutte le scempiaggini che sento uscire dalla bocca delle persone.
Chissà, magari potrei trovare delle similitudini: d’altronde, la stupidità umana non ha fine.
Commovente e poetica la piccola raccolta di saluti e ringraziamenti scritti da “i più illustri geni, gli animi più raffinati e quelli più umili”, in memoria della defunta Marchesa di S.
Chissà, magari potrei trovare delle similitudini: d’altronde, la stupidità umana non ha fine.
Commovente e poetica la piccola raccolta di saluti e ringraziamenti scritti da “i più illustri geni, gli animi più raffinati e quelli più umili”, in memoria della defunta Marchesa di S.
August 4, 2021
This "dictionary" is not a work of literature but a vulgar joke-book; albeit one aimed at the type of highly literate readers who are my GR friends. As the GR blurb indicates, Flaubert is in no ways subtle using the "massue" rather than the rapier. This book would ideal for those occasions when one has had too many glasses of wine with supper but would still prefer to read in the evening.
Read
August 3, 2018no rating, as the wordplay doesn't always translate well. The 148 years probably doesn't help, either. Love me a commonplace book, though.
April 5, 2019
Sigur "definitiile" lui Flaubert sunau mai provocator in secolul al XIX-lea. Dar pentru o fana a sarcasmului postmodern, sunt prea vanilla.
April 26, 2025
হাতের লেখা (Ecriture): হাতের লেখা ভালো হলে কেল্লা ফতে। অবিশ্যি অপাঠ্য হলে বুঝতে হবে সেটা জ্ঞানের লক্ষণ। যেমন, ডাক্তারের প্রেসক্রিপশন।
অহঙ্কার (Egoïsme): অন্যদের অহঙ্কার সম্পর্কে অভিযোগ করবে, কিন্তু নিজেরটা টের পাবে না।
বাড়িওয়ালা: মানবজাতি দুটি শ্রেণিতে বিভক্ত: বাড়িওয়ালা ও ভাড়াটে। 'তুমি কোন দলে পড়ো হে?'
দীর্ঘশ্বাস (Soupir):মহিলাদের কাছাকাছি গিয়ে নিঃসরণ করবে।
মুখ (Visage): 'মনের আরশি।' অর্থাৎ অনেক লোকেরই মন হতকুচ্ছিত।
অহঙ্কার (Egoïsme): অন্যদের অহঙ্কার সম্পর্কে অভিযোগ করবে, কিন্তু নিজেরটা টের পাবে না।
বাড়িওয়ালা: মানবজাতি দুটি শ্রেণিতে বিভক্ত: বাড়িওয়ালা ও ভাড়াটে। 'তুমি কোন দলে পড়ো হে?'
দীর্ঘশ্বাস (Soupir):মহিলাদের কাছাকাছি গিয়ে নিঃসরণ করবে।
মুখ (Visage): 'মনের আরশি।' অর্থাৎ অনেক লোকেরই মন হতকুচ্ছিত।
October 21, 2017
Grande Flaubert, grandissimo.
Me lo immagino lí, con l'orticaria alle orecchie per i fastidiosi discorsi, seduto a una poltroncina mentre Madama X parla con Madama Bla. L'unico modo di alterare questo stato é scaricare tutto su una penna, su fogli, e trasformare una cosa insopportabile in una cosa divertente.
E ha tutta la mia comprensione, dal momento che ho sempre odiato tutto ció che deve essere fatto, detto, amato, odiato. Sará che io non so essere molto mainstream, sará che io non so essere una trascinatrice di masse.
Ed ancora, si puó andare oltre questo. Perché é curioso vedere come alcuni dettami colloquiali siano rimasti (Eccezione: dite che "conferma la regola" ma non azzardatevi a spiegare come) e altri siano scomparsi o non facciano parte della nostra cultura. E quindi capire un pochino che pregiudizi potessero avere questi francesi, o quali che potessero essere i piú quotidiani dei loro costumi. O ancora, non capirne una mazza per la lontananza del contesto.
"Bisognerebbe che in tutto il libro non ci fosse una parola mia, e che, una volta letto il dizionario, non si osasse più parlare, per paura di dire spontaneamente una delle frasi che vi si trovano."
Adorabile.
Me lo immagino lí, con l'orticaria alle orecchie per i fastidiosi discorsi, seduto a una poltroncina mentre Madama X parla con Madama Bla. L'unico modo di alterare questo stato é scaricare tutto su una penna, su fogli, e trasformare una cosa insopportabile in una cosa divertente.
E ha tutta la mia comprensione, dal momento che ho sempre odiato tutto ció che deve essere fatto, detto, amato, odiato. Sará che io non so essere molto mainstream, sará che io non so essere una trascinatrice di masse.
Ed ancora, si puó andare oltre questo. Perché é curioso vedere come alcuni dettami colloquiali siano rimasti (Eccezione: dite che "conferma la regola" ma non azzardatevi a spiegare come) e altri siano scomparsi o non facciano parte della nostra cultura. E quindi capire un pochino che pregiudizi potessero avere questi francesi, o quali che potessero essere i piú quotidiani dei loro costumi. O ancora, non capirne una mazza per la lontananza del contesto.
"Bisognerebbe che in tutto il libro non ci fosse una parola mia, e che, una volta letto il dizionario, non si osasse più parlare, per paura di dire spontaneamente una delle frasi che vi si trovano."
Adorabile.
June 22, 2015
Cute. Snide definitions of cliches. Not as good as Devil's Dictionary, which is the high water mark for that sort of thing. Written in the 1870s. Translated by Jacques Barzun. Apparently it was a huge pain in the ass to translate. Probably not worth all the work. Hope it paid alright.
September 5, 2018
Delicioasa!
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