The recent (November 9-15) letters to the editor regarding the current kerfuffle over the Highland supervisor election reminded me of the word “dudgeon,” and the internet gave me this particularly apt quote from Samuel Butler, “Hudibras” (1663). 

“When civil dudgeon first grew high,

And men fell out they knew not why;

When hard words, jealousies, and fears,

Set folks together by the ears.”

Leah Casner

Equinunk, PA