A brief introduction
The proprietor’s note.
An ordinary dictionary tells you what a word is supposed to mean. Lucifer’s Lexicon observes what happens when people use it.
This is an illustrated collection of original definitions of corporate, technological and professional life. Its subjects include the language of meetings, the promises of software and the curious habits of institutions.
An old tradition, a modern vocabulary
The publication takes inspiration from the satirical dictionary tradition of Ambrose Bierce. These definitions are original Lucifer’s Lexicon satire, not quotations from Bierce.
The target is the contradiction: what is promised, what is rewarded and who receives the invoice. The people caught inside the machinery generally have enough to contend with.
Read at your leisure
New definitions join the permanent dictionary over time. Browse alphabetically, follow a subject, or subscribe to the RSS feed.
Approximate figures
Infernal Accounts
The proprietor keeps approximate accounts of what it takes to keep the dictionary in print.
| Tokens used | 1,080,000 |
|---|---|
| CO2e produced | 540 g |
| Total cost | €17.70 |
| Comics published | 54 |
All figures are rough estimates rather than audited accounts. Token usage is inferred from the work involved in preparing the comics, since the current interface does not expose exact provider telemetry. CO2e includes modelled AI and hosting impact where possible. Free services count as zero monetary cost, not zero environmental impact.
For a closer look at the economics of appearing efficient, consultFINOPS.