We Discover the Dictionary (Rifftrax Shorts)

Rifftrax Year:  2011
Riffers:  Michael J. Nelson, Kevin Murphy, Bill Corbett

dictionary
[dik-shuh-ner-ee]
noun
1.  a book, optical disc, mobile device, or online lexical resource containing a selection of the words of a language, giving information about their meanings, pronunciations, etymologies, inflected forms, derived forms, etc., expressed in either the same or another language; lexicon; glossary. Print dictionaries of various sizes, ranging from small pocket dictionaries to multivolume books, usually sort entries alphabetically, as do typical CD or DVD dictionary applications, allowing one to browse through the terms in sequence. All electronic dictionaries, whether online or installed on a device, can provide immediate, direct access to a search term, its meanings, and ancillary information:

an unabridged dictionary of English; a Japanese-English dictionary.

2.  a book giving information on particular subjects or on a particular class of words, names, or facts, usually arranged alphabetically:

a biographical dictionary; a dictionary of mathematics.

This short was likely shown to children to guide them through usage of that famed New York Times Bestseller by Stephen King, The Dictionary! It shows how to find words, how to discover different definitions, and how to use it to properly spell them. It's rudimentary, but it needs to be. There's not a lot to say or criticize about it except I already know how to use a damn dictionary.

Or use dictionary.com, like I did above.  Don't judge me, hater.

riff

[rif]

noun

1.  a melodic phrase, often constantly repeated, forming an accompaniment or part of an accompaniment for a soloist.

verb (used without object)

2.  to perform riffs.

The riffing mostly keeps it's delivery perky and pleasant, keeping in tune with the short itself.  What they're saying is often anything but.  There is a lot of dark twists, mockery of children failing, and escalation of disagreements being played up by Mike, Kevin, and Bill to humorous effect.  Most of it is funny, though I got more pleasant smiles out of this affair than big laughs.  This is a good short to have in one's collection overall.

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