Last Laugh

views updated

401. Last Laugh (See also Irony.)

Alcyoneus giant who threw stone at Hercules; killed when Hercules batted it back. [Gk. Myth.: Zimmerman, 17]
Diomedes eaten by his own horses, which he had reared on human flesh. [Gk. and Rom. Myth.: Hall, 149]
Fulton’s Folly everybody scoffed at his 1807 steamboat, the “Clermont.” [Am. Hist.: Jameson, 190]
Hop-Frog immolates king and court after repeated insults. [Am. Lit.: “Hop-Frog” in Portable Poe, 317–329]
Magnificent Ambersons, The Eugene acquires same position George fell from. [Am. Lit.: The Magnificent Ambersons ]
Mordecai and Haman latter hanged on gallows he built for former. [O.T.: Esther 7:9–10]
Palamon and Arcite victorious jouster (Arcite) dies in fall; loser wins lady’s hand. [Br. Lit.: Canterbury Tales, “Palamon and Arcite”]
Pizarro, Don illegally imprisons Florestan; is later imprisoned himself. [Ger. Opera: Beethoven, Fidelio, Westerman, 109–110]
Seward’s Folly ridiculed purchase of Alaska proved wise buy (1867). [Am. Hist.: Van Doren, 254]
Truman, Harry S. (1884–1972) presidential winner; photographed with Chicago Tribune headline announcing Dewey’s victory (1948). [Am. Hist.: Plain Speaking, 406]
Tuck, Friar cajoled to ferry Robin across stream, dumps him returning. [Br. Lit.: Robin Hood ]