Definition:
A mocking, often ironic or satirical remark intended to wound. Adjective: sarcastic. See also:
Etymology:
From the Greek, "bite the lips in rage"Examples and Observations:
- "Oh, a sarcasm detector. That’s a really useful invention!"
(Comic Book Guy, The Simpsons) - Dr. House: So you're treating professional sports injuries now?
Patient: Oh, no, I'm not . . .
Dr. House: . . . familiar with the concept of sarcasm. Don't sweat it, it's new.
("Dying Changes Everything," House, M.D.) - "Neither irony or sarcasm is argument."
(Samuel Butler) - Teen 1: Oh, here comes that cannonball guy. He's cool.
Teen 2: Are you being sarcastic, dude?
Teen 1: I don't even know anymore.
("Homerpalooza," The Simpsons) - "Let it be first provided that this figure (sarcasmus) be not used without some great cause which may well deserve it, as arrogancie, insolent pride, wilfull folly, shamefull lecherie, ridiculous avarice, or such like, for it is both folly and rudenesse to use derision without cause: but to mocke silly people, innocents, or men in misery, or the poore in distresse, argueth both the pride of the mind, and the crueltie of the heart."
(Henry Peachum, The Garden of Eloquence, 1593) - "Whatever the reason, I was saddled with this strange name, which meant that I was constantly, constantly, being serenaded with the sometimes you feel like a nut Almond Joy/Mounds jingle, which I would have liked to quote in full, except that Hershey's legal staff denied me permission. I can certainly understand why. God only knows what ruin might befall Hershey's if this jingle--which hasn't been used in two decades--were suddenly brazenly resurrected by a young Jewish candyfreak. One shudders to consider the fallout for the entire fragile candy-trademark-jingle trademark ecosystem."
(Steve Almond, Candyfreak, 2004)
Pronunciation: sar-KAZ-um
Also Known As: sarcasmus
