Reaper Man (Discworld, #11; Death, #2)

by Terry Pratchett

Cyril peered myopically at the “Cock-A-Doodle-Doo” in heavy gothic script. Somewhere in his tiny mad chicken mind a very distinct and chilly understanding formed that he’d better learn to read very, very quickly.

trying to explain this to someone out of context is impossible

“It’s an omen.” AN OMEN OF WHAT? “What? Oh, don’t ask me. Just an omen, I suppose. Just basic omenery.