Diddling

by 爱伦·坡

Blurb

Diddling Considered as One of the Exact Sciences (1843) is a very droll piece by Edgar Allan Poe. The use of the jocular term "diddling" makes it clear from the title that it will be a facetious essay, intended to amuse. Up until comparatively recently the word "diddling" was commonly used as a slang wry term for a swindler, employing a confidence trick, so the indignant victim might say, "He diddled me out of five pounds!" Unfortunately though it now also has a very earthy, some may say obscene, urban meaning, which means that a modern audience has to take the norms of Poe's time on board even more than usual.

Member Reviews Write your own review

Be the first person to review

Log in to comment