The Devil's Dictionary is a satirical dictionary written by Ambrose Bierce (1842-c.1914, caricatured above by David Levine). Bierce was an American author who began the book as a newspaper serial. First published in 1906 as The Cynic's Word Book, it was retitled in 1911, using the name we know it by today, which is the title that Bierce preferred. Some of the definitions have not aged all that well, but many have.
LICKSPITTLE,
n. A useful functionary, not infrequently found editing a newspaper. In
his character of editor he is closely allied to the blackmailer by the
tie of occasional identity; for in truth the lickspittle is only the
blackmailer under another aspect, although the latter is frequently
found as an independent species. Lickspittling is more detestable than
blackmailing, precisely as the business of a confidence man is more
detestable than that of a highway robber; and the parallel maintains
itself throughout, for whereas few robbers will cheat, every sneak will
plunder if he dare.
