HELPMATE, N. A Wife, Or Bitter Half. "Now, Why Is Yer Wife Called A Helpmate, Pat?

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HELPMATE, n. A wife, or bitter half.

"Now, why is yer wife called a helpmate, Pat?"
Says the priest. "Since the time 'o yer wooin'
She's niver [sic] assisted in what ye were at --
For it's naught ye are ever doin'."

"That's true of yer Riverence [sic]," Patrick replies,
And no sign of contrition envices;
"But, bedad, it's a fact which the word implies,
For she helps to mate the expinses [sic]!"
Marley Wottel
-- Ambrose Bierce, "The Devil's Dictionary"

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