"I don't know how long my marriage would last if it weren't for sarcasm," my friend said. I wanted to correct her and tell her that depending on sarcasm to work out conflict was a bad idea. But then, I avoided that subject and just said something sarcastic. It was so much easier.
Sarcasm, at it's gentlest, is mildly mocking. At it it's worst, it's cutting, even bitter. Some sarcasm has irony. All sarcasm releases cynicism, resentment, or derision. That's why people like it so much.
"Neurotics build castles in the air, psychotics live in them. My mother cleans them." ~Rita Rudner
“It's always darkest before it turns absolutely pitch black.”
~Paul Newman
A while back, it was rumored that someone had invented a "sarcasm mark." You can see it in the pic below, but I have never seen it used IRL (in real life.). Just think of how amazing it would be to have this mark on our keyboards! "Yes, I'll lend you money," becomes "Keep your mitts off my moola, Georgie."
With a sarcasm mark, "Of course I wouldn't mind you moving in and eating me out of house and home," becomes, "No, I can't be your enabler." Oh, the power of the sarcasm mark!
I suggest we all start PRAYING for the sarcasm mark to be REAL. We could start a campaign aimed at...well, whoever creates these things. A post-card writing campaign could be effective. Seriously. I WANT A SARCASM MARK NOW and I'm not shy about it.
Sarcasm has its own Wiki Page; and there are books about sarcasm on Amazon.
Further Reading: Literary Devices: Types of Sarcasm; How to Be Sarcastic, a Tutorial; 31 Most Hilariously Sarcastic Comebacks; Grumpy Cat; MAXINE; Top Five Most Sarcastic Comedians; Confused When People Are Sarcastic? Become More Empathetic; National Sarcasm Month on Pinterest;
Source Articles: Sarcasm Quotes; Brainy Quotes, Rita Rudner; Holiday Insights, October; Wikipedia: Sarcasm.
I almost ashamed to admit it, but I love sarcasm. My husband calls it sourcasm.
ReplyDeleteI delve into snarkiness every now and then, but I have found that an abundance of sarcasm makes people appear negative and/or bitter. How do you see it?
ReplyDelete