Sarcasm: What it is, how to use it and what it means to you.

Of all the ploys of JCers, sarcasm is the greatest, and unfortunately the least understood. To many it is adding a face_plain at some point in their post. However, this is not the only way sarcasm is meant to be displayed, nor is it the most intelligent. This thread serves to help you, the unknowing JCer, how to both use sarcasm properly and to recognize it when it is deployed against you in three easy steps.

Step 1: What is Sarcasm?

In the dictionary, sarcasm is defined as:
sar?casm (särkzm)
n.
1. A cutting, often ironic remark often intended to wound.
2. A form of wit that is marked by the use of sarcastic language and is intended to make its victim the butt of contempt or ridicule.
3. The use of sarcasm.

It also comes from the Latin phrase sarcasmus meaning "to bite the lips in rage"
In short, sarcasm is essentially a lie (albeit, generally a small and harmless lie, though not always) which is told for the purpose of humour. To be frank, sarcasm is often simply a mistruth to bring about laughter.

Well that?s nice and dandy, but what has this to do with me? A fine question, to be sure, but Sarcasm affects us all. There is unlikely to be a day that passes without the use of proper or improper sarcasm. What this means for you is that you will likely be the butt of many a joke if you don't understand sarcasm.

Am I beyond hope? Nay! Surely not. By tedious study and learning you will also understand the means and modes of sarcasm. However, this is not as easy a task as you might be thinking. Let us move on to taking notice to sarcasm in a post.

Step two: Recognizing Sarcasm.

Did you know that ?gullible? is not in the dictionary? Really, it isn?t. Due to a mishap in the Latin translators of the Bible, the word ?gullible? actually doesn?t actually exist in the English language.

Did you find yourself reaching for your dictionary? If you did, you have been outwitted by sarcasm. Likely this isn?t the first time either. Yes ladies and gentlemen that was sarcasm even if poor in nature. One of the better ways to recognize sarcasm is if something is simply too far-fetched to seem possible. If it seems too outrageous to be true, then it probably is.

But I don?t understand what is real! This puts you at a disadvantage, but you may not be beyond all hope. Take this for example. Say our friendly neighborhood moderator ?Everton? were to post about the greatness that is Harvard and the evil that is his own school, you might be implied to wonder at his rues, this is good, for you should! It is most likely the case that Everton is employing a pertinent use of sarcasm. Users of sarcasm often take it upon themselves to say things contrary to their nature for humourous response. Think of the nature of the person posting, and you can give yourself a fine idea if there are using sarcasm.

But what if I don?t know this sly, sarcastic person? Sadly there is nothing to be done for you. You are beyond hope and will soon die of unwittedness. Ha! I got you. However, aside from this joke, there is still a hope. Take my previous comment. In many cases sarcasm is blunt and ill presented, as my comment was. Though sarcastic, this type of humour is often undesirable and silly. However, it is still used and therefore you should understand it.

Now that we understand what sarcasm is and how to recognize it, lets try and learn proper application of it, shall we?

Step 3: Application of sarcastic values.

As we read early on, sarcasm is often using a lie to reach a humourous end. These lies serve different purposes. Some sarcasm is meant to merely be funny, while some is meant to be rude and unkind. Think of it in these terms: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly.

The Good: Sarcasm can be used for a positive means which benefits all of those around. People will use un-snide comments to reach a common consensus of humour: Such as the hypothetical comment of Everton was. Most would benefit and some might e

 

tl, dr

 

Nice thread.

 

Yeah, only trouble is it's implying that I'm friendly.

 

Well, I sure had a blast reading all of that.

 

I'm very sarcastic. But I'm not mean about it. I change tones and people can tell that I'm just kidding. It helps me break the ice when meeting new groups of people.

 

Erm, I mean

 

Sarcasm is best used with wit. Sadly, many of those who are sarcastic, lack the wit it takes to be proficient in this art.

 

I am very sarcastic...





In my mother language.

 

like you would know

 

BURN!

 

Oh Malkie, just be thankful it's me.

 

Sarcasm is the lowest form of wit. No wait, that's the pun.


Either way, sarcasm sucks.



Perhaps one should make a list of those on the JCC who use sarcasm particularly well, to be held up as role models to emulate.

 

bah, you realise I was playing, seeing as this is a thread on sarcasm

 

beafet, obviously!

 

Thank you Jedi_Master_Anakin!

 

No, I thought you were serious.

 

What currency is the 9.95 supposed to be in?

 

This place blows.




Seriously, this sucks.

 

Anyone who uses it deserves to get punched in the face.

 

It both sucks and blows? Surely this is a feat to be admired not hated.

 

You, my friend, are a living contradiction.

 

Perhaps I am a dying truthfulness?