- 10,832
Don't you love it when someone asks "are you being 'sarcastic'?" The question poses a cunnundrum of sorts. The cunundrum is rooted in the properties of "sarcasm". For instance, sarcasm is supposed to be ironic. Many people seem to miss this entirely. Very simply, irony is the actual outcome being the opposite of the intended outcome. For instance, if one says "well that was fun", immediately following a serious auto accident, chances are they are being sarcastic by invoking irony.
Sarcasm is funny, but not to everyone. For the verbose, wordy, and scattered type, sarcasm seems mysterious and rude. This is based on another of it's properties; sarcasm is laconic. Have you ever heard a sarcastic comment that went on and on, and on? I didn't think so. Part of it's overall effect is that it is gone as fast as it arrived, yet somehow lingers in mind (see irony). Sarcastic comments display an elegant efficiency, and are beautiful.
Sarcasm can seem mean. This is based on another of its properties; it is sardonic. Many sarcastic comments convey disdain or skepticism. But it is important to remember that sarcasm is ironic. This means when you perceive this disdain, you have to actually use your brain to interpret the probable irony involved and see that most likely, affectionate humor was intended. This elucidates the point, however, that people who are offended by sarcasm or think it is mean are all a bunch pussies who can't take a joke. And not only that. They are also buffoons incapable of unraveling the manifold complexities of language and cultural meaning. A little mocking goes a long way.
There are other charateristics of sarcasm that are not required, but desired, and are the mark of the true silver tongue.
Sarcasm should be deadpan. It's style should be impassive. This, too, points back to irony. The listener or reader's response to sarcasm is hardly ever matter of fact (excepting dolts), and a delightful humor response is evoked by what appears to be serious. A straight face can express anything, even pure hilarity, depending on the context and the intelligence of the listener. Because sarcasm has no flashing lights and buzzers to indicate something potentially humorous or at least noteworthy just happened, the subtle sensibilities of the listener or reader are called into play, if they exist.
Sarcasm should be satirical. This may be the most obvious place to seperate types of sarcasm. To be sure, some sarcasm is rude and derisive, but not the good stuff. The creme de la creme of sarcasm always says something important, and is dependent on multilayered contexts, drawing from many aspects of life. It's effect is dependent on knowledge and perspectives. One must be able to see the world in different ways to appreciate the genius in satire. Some great satirists could be Aldous Huxley, James Joyce and William S. Burroughs. It could also be said that exposure to satire acclimates one to it, and over time it becomes ingrained in one's being. It could also be said that some people are born with all of the required and desired characteristics of sarcasm in them; they display their intelligence very early in life. Conversely, others are utterly incapable of perceiving and appreciating sarcasm or any of its individual traits. A razor sharp comment will evoke blank stares, feigned chuckles, or fear of their own inadequacy and limited capacity to understand. They vaguely sense something just happend, but can't quite put their finger on it. Over time this becomes a familiar, and unwelcome, feeling to them and they learn to deal with it by calling sarcasm frivolous and mean and resorting to an offensive kind of pragmatic moralism. Nothing could be more sad and dull than to be stuck conversing with this type for more than a minute or two.
Sarcasm is the highest form of humor because it requires knowledge and quick wits to be understood. It asks more of its receiving end than pedestrian delight. It is both lighthearted and serious, simple and complex. It is the mark of useful intellgence, strength, resiliance, and honesty.
Verily, the only acceptable response to the question "are you being sarcastic?" is, more sarcasm, as futile as it may seem.
Sarcasm is funny, but not to everyone. For the verbose, wordy, and scattered type, sarcasm seems mysterious and rude. This is based on another of it's properties; sarcasm is laconic. Have you ever heard a sarcastic comment that went on and on, and on? I didn't think so. Part of it's overall effect is that it is gone as fast as it arrived, yet somehow lingers in mind (see irony). Sarcastic comments display an elegant efficiency, and are beautiful.
Sarcasm can seem mean. This is based on another of its properties; it is sardonic. Many sarcastic comments convey disdain or skepticism. But it is important to remember that sarcasm is ironic. This means when you perceive this disdain, you have to actually use your brain to interpret the probable irony involved and see that most likely, affectionate humor was intended. This elucidates the point, however, that people who are offended by sarcasm or think it is mean are all a bunch pussies who can't take a joke. And not only that. They are also buffoons incapable of unraveling the manifold complexities of language and cultural meaning. A little mocking goes a long way.
There are other charateristics of sarcasm that are not required, but desired, and are the mark of the true silver tongue.
Sarcasm should be deadpan. It's style should be impassive. This, too, points back to irony. The listener or reader's response to sarcasm is hardly ever matter of fact (excepting dolts), and a delightful humor response is evoked by what appears to be serious. A straight face can express anything, even pure hilarity, depending on the context and the intelligence of the listener. Because sarcasm has no flashing lights and buzzers to indicate something potentially humorous or at least noteworthy just happened, the subtle sensibilities of the listener or reader are called into play, if they exist.
Sarcasm should be satirical. This may be the most obvious place to seperate types of sarcasm. To be sure, some sarcasm is rude and derisive, but not the good stuff. The creme de la creme of sarcasm always says something important, and is dependent on multilayered contexts, drawing from many aspects of life. It's effect is dependent on knowledge and perspectives. One must be able to see the world in different ways to appreciate the genius in satire. Some great satirists could be Aldous Huxley, James Joyce and William S. Burroughs. It could also be said that exposure to satire acclimates one to it, and over time it becomes ingrained in one's being. It could also be said that some people are born with all of the required and desired characteristics of sarcasm in them; they display their intelligence very early in life. Conversely, others are utterly incapable of perceiving and appreciating sarcasm or any of its individual traits. A razor sharp comment will evoke blank stares, feigned chuckles, or fear of their own inadequacy and limited capacity to understand. They vaguely sense something just happend, but can't quite put their finger on it. Over time this becomes a familiar, and unwelcome, feeling to them and they learn to deal with it by calling sarcasm frivolous and mean and resorting to an offensive kind of pragmatic moralism. Nothing could be more sad and dull than to be stuck conversing with this type for more than a minute or two.
Sarcasm is the highest form of humor because it requires knowledge and quick wits to be understood. It asks more of its receiving end than pedestrian delight. It is both lighthearted and serious, simple and complex. It is the mark of useful intellgence, strength, resiliance, and honesty.
Verily, the only acceptable response to the question "are you being sarcastic?" is, more sarcasm, as futile as it may seem.
sardonic? 
Whaddya mean by thay'at Bubba?
.
