Looknsee Photography wrote:

Too subtle?  Not sarcastic enough?

I was being ironic in suggesting that Keanu Reeves is a "TERRIFIC" actor.  Your answer was matter-of-fact, so I could not tell if you got my irony.  I apologize for not immediately grasping that you got it.

William Coleman wrote:

I was being ironic in suggesting that Keanu Reeves is a "TERRIFIC" actor.  Your answer was matter-of-fact, so I could not tell if you got my irony.  I apologize for not immediately grasping that you got it.

I also think he was making his point of how it can be confusing.
Brian Diaz is a strong proponent of oversmilification....

lapis wrote:

I also think he was making his point of how it can be confusing.
Brian Diaz is a strong proponent of oversmilification....

Thanks, Lapis.  Confusing ain't the half of it!

Tim Hammond wrote:
Just as a point of clarification, sarcasm isn't always an attack on the person being addressed.  The Keaneau Reeves joke was a perfect example.  Reeves is (presumably) not among the intended audience, but he was certainly the butt of the joke, and the wittiness of the delivery relied on irony.  I rarely (but not never) direct my sarcasm at the person to whom I'm speaking.  That would be rude (which I'll admit I sometimes am ... and I sometimes get a sadistic pleasure from it ... but that's a different s word ...).

Mr. Hammond, kindly give the class an example of sadistic, sarcastic irony.  Please distinguish from sadistic, sardonic - but not sarcastic - irony.  Then, please an example of ironic, sardonic, sadistic sarcasm.  Explain your answers.

lapis wrote:
sarcastic? me? never!

i second that statement.

Ian Weintraub wrote:

i second that statement.

IAN! oh goodie. Now I am going to have some real fun....

Tim Hammond wrote:
Just as a point of clarification, sarcasm isn't always an attack on the person being addressed.  The Keaneau Reeves joke was a perfect example.  Reeves is (presumably) not among the intended audience, but he was certainly the butt of the joke, and the wittiness of the delivery relied on irony.  I rarely (but not never) direct my sarcasm at the person to whom I'm speaking.  That would be rude (which I'll admit I sometimes am ... and I sometimes get a sadistic pleasure from it ... but that's a different s word ...).

Good advice - if I had followed it over the years, I'd have much less scar tissue!  (Writes down, do NOT direct sarcasm at the person to whom you are speaking.)

Amanda Schlicher wrote:

Actually, it could be considered sarcastic because there's no implication of irony in the etymology.  It's a common use sort of thing.

Irony implies incongruity which can be for the purpose of humor, harm, or dramatic effect.  It's only sarcastic if it is meant to harm.

Wow, gotta love a woman who has a vocabulary!  I suspect you sent a couple readers to the dictionary on those sentences.

lapis wrote:

I also think he was making his point of how it can be confusing.

Lapis is a goddess -- she gets me.  She really gets me.

For me, speaking in a straightforward manner saves a lot of time & avoids misunderstandings.  I also like the challenge of finding ways to be as clear as possible.

William Coleman wrote:
Mr. Hammond, kindly give the class an example of sadistic, sarcastic irony.  Please distinguish from sadistic, sardonic - but not sarcastic - irony.  Then, please an example of ironic, sardonic, sadistic sarcasm.  Explain your answers.

Ooo -- let me try.  I'll step out of character, just this once:

-- sadistic, sarcastic irony on --
Mr. Coleman.  I'm pleased to meet you.
-- sadistic, sarcastic irony off --

I apologize for being sadistic, sarcastic, and/or ironic.