Dictionnaire des idées reçues

The work assembles an alphabetical series of short entries that parody conventional opinions, offering laconic definitions, clichés, and mock instructions that expose bourgeois prejudices and habitual thinking. Each entry takes a name, object, or concept and supplies a ready-made, often ironic verdict—stock phrases, contradictions, and exaggerated maxims—so as to ridicule thoughtlessness and social cant. The format relies on epigrammatic brevity and juxtaposition to highlight absurdities and reveal how language and received wisdom enforce conformity. Readers encounter recurring targets such as institutions, professions, and cultural touchstones, arranged as a satirical lexicon rather than a continuous narrative.