Not P but Moby-Dick (108)

[Mark Kohut]

I think it means that an omen is by definition a prediction about a future
event....it
comes in words, not vague signs, dictionary words....

On Tue, Apr 16, 2024 at 10:52 PM Mike Jing <gravitys.rainbow.cn at gmail.com>
wrote:

> From Chapter 133:
>
> “What soulless thing is this that laughs before a wreck? Man, man! did I
> not know thee brave as fearless fire (and as mechanical) I could swear thou
> wert a poltroon. Groan nor laugh should be heard before a wreck.”
>
> “Aye, sir,” said Starbuck drawing near, “’tis a solemn sight; an omen, and
> an ill one.”
>
> “Omen? omen?—the dictionary! If the gods think to speak outright to man,
> they will honorably speak outright; not shake their heads, and give an old
> wives’ darkling hint.—Begone!
>
> What does the exclamation "the dictionary!" mean here? Is it a call for a
> dictionary, or is it something else?
> --
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>