Word: absurd
(lookup in dictionary)
(lookup stats)
Dates: during 1870-1879
Sort By: most recent first
(reverse)
...yourself, when you should be gaining a practical knowledge of men and the world, and working with enthusiasm upon your chosen profession, - this time you spend in a life every law of which is unpractical, in studies which are of doubtful use, and in recreations which are absurd, all for an object which is simply that humbug called general culture...
...struck by this absurd speech, and sat down. Was he convinced, or did a slight uriosity...
...this fact with the necessity of Latin prayers? The English universities have kept a custom which originated in their Roman Catholic days, and are excusable for so doing; an American college, in adopting this custom without the least reason, would merely lay itself open to ridicule for its absurd anglomania. The affectation of talking about the "grandeur and solemnity" of the Latin service is not worthy of the Tablet's good sense...
...conversation with the chaperons than with the young ladies. Those who especially do honor to Class Day, and who, after the Seniors, take the most pleasure in it, are the "buds." Now who ever heard one of these complain of the length of a ball? No, no, it is absurd to suppose that such transparent sophistry should impose for a moment upon men who have learned their Barbara Celarent...
...writing to Vassar for young lady correspondents. The Freshman obtains a catalogue, finds the name of some Sophomore or sister Freshman, and "in flowery and verbless sentences" pleads with her to correspond with him. But the Vassar maiden always laughs at his poor spelling, ridicules his absurd mistakes, and "resents the impertinent demand on her time and attention." On the whole, the fun seems to be pretty equally divided, only we would suggest that the Yale and Harvard writers pay still less attention to rhetoric and dictionary, for, as it is, their communications are said to be less amusing than...