{"id":7353,"date":"2020-04-30T15:00:08","date_gmt":"2020-04-30T19:00:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/english\/?p=7353"},"modified":"2020-04-30T15:00:08","modified_gmt":"2020-04-30T19:00:08","slug":"understanding-sarcasm","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/english\/understanding-sarcasm\/","title":{"rendered":"Understanding Sarcasm"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Image by Dimitris Vetsikas from Pixabay, CCO<\/p><\/div>\n

You may have heard that controversial statement last week in which injecting disinfectant should be studied as a possible treatment for COVID-19. That was quickly dismissed, of course, and later explained as a sarcastic statement. And while the suggestion may have been a subject of scorn due to its rather unscientific nature, the more interesting question for language nerds like me is, \u201cWas that really sarcasm?\u201d<\/p>\n

What is Sarcasm?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Sarcasm is a remark spoken as a form of scornful or ironic<\/strong> jest. Like most ironic statements, the end result is usually the opposite of what is said. Sarcasm is often described as biting, or caustic. It can be humorous, but often not to the person who is its target. \u00a0It serves as a form of ridicule or mockery. In fact, the word comes to us from the Latin word for mockery, sarcasmos<\/em>.<\/p>\n

Classic examples of sarcasm are statements such as, \u201cThat scarf does a nice job covering the wrinkles in your neck.\u201d Or \u201cYou\u2019re not half as stupid as you look.\u201d<\/p>\n

Masters of Sarcasm<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Sarcasm can also be an exercise in wit. My favorite example of sarcasm reportedly came from Sir Winston Churchill<\/strong>, who could be very unpleasant to people he didn\u2019t like or respect. Lady Mary Astor, a friend of Churchill\u2019s wife, had become so upset with the man that she told him, \u201cIf I was your wife, I\u2019d poison your tea.\u201d To which Churchill replied, \u201cMadame if I was your husband, I\u2019d drink it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mark Twain<\/strong> was once invited to speak the eulogy at a funeral for someone he didn\u2019t like. \u201cI didn\u2019t attend the funeral,\u201d he later said, \u201cBut I sent a letter saying that I approved of it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Groucho Marx<\/strong>, a comedian who performed for decades on stage, film, radio, and television is credited with telling someone, \u201cI never forget a face, but in your case, I\u2019ll make an exception.\u201d<\/p>\n

And one of the great running jokes in television history involved Sheldon on \u201cThe Big Bang Theory.\u201d For years on the long-running show, Sheldon couldn\u2019t recognize sarcasm. But, once he understood the concept, he became a merciless master of it.<\/p>\n

https:\/\/youtu.be\/QdD2tL71b7A<\/p>\n

So, let me ask you – was that comment about injecting disinfectant an example of sarcasm? Please feel free to comment below. And, if you’d like, phrase your response sarcastically.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"\"\"

You may have heard that controversial statement last week in which injecting disinfectant should be studied as a possible treatment for COVID-19. That was quickly dismissed, of course, and later explained as a sarcastic statement. And while the suggestion may have been a subject of scorn due to its rather unscientific nature, the more interesting…<\/p>\n

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