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"sarcasm"
Definition: A mocking, often ironic or satirical remark intended to wound. See verbal irony.
Etymology:
From the Greek, "to bite the lips in rage; sneer"
Examples and Observations:
- "The Caution. 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)
- "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)
- "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, Algonquin Books, 2004)
- "I would like to apologize for referring to George W. Bush as a deserter. What I meant to say is that George W. Bush is a deserter, an election thief, a drunk driver, a WMD liar, and a functional illiterate. And he poops his pants."
(Filmmaker Michael Moore, 2004)
 Pronunciation: sar-KAZ-um Also Known As: sarcasmus
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