Foo - How Are You With Sarcasm?

Quick question from a noob/lurker.

I verbally blasted my supervisor today. A couple months ago, I did the same thing with one of our engineers. Normally, I get along REAL well with everybody, despite being a tad "ornery". Of course, I apologized within 10 minutes, but I was bothered about why I did it. I realized in both cases, that it was a sarcastic comment that set me off. Man, I can take a lot of abuse generally, but something about sarcasm just pushes me over the edge.

How about you? Any thoughts on why that particular type of insult would be so irksome?

I speak in a monotone, and have a lot of unblinking eye contact when I speak, so most people can't tell when I'm being sarcastic.

I would have to hear the comment and know the context of the situatuon. Most sarcasm isn't intended as an insult, but if done right it's a powerful tool for satire. How were you insulted? Perhaps sarcasm isn't the right word for what irks you.

sarcasm is for p***ies

Sarcasm bugs me because it's dishonest, frankly. I don't blow up though. It bugs me more when someone doesn't bring forth an issue (at work) and then I find out that there -is- one. Sorta a roundabout insult.

Sarcasm bugs me because it's dishonest, frankly.

Dishonest?
Frankly, I think irony and sarcasm is often the only way to cut through bullchit.

Sarcasm bugs me because it's dishonest, frankly. I don't blow up though. It bugs me more when someone doesn't bring forth an issue (at work) and then I find out that there -is- one. Sorta a roundabout insult.

Again, that's not sarcasm.

I don't think the OP means sarcasm either. What do you think the definition of sarcasm is? Look it up.

Dishonest?
Frankly, I think irony and sarcasm is often the only way to cut through bullchit.

Absolutely.

It is also often the quickest way to measure intelligence.:)

Sarcasm bugs me because it's dishonest, frankly. I don't blow up though. It bugs me more when someone doesn't bring forth an issue (at work) and then I find out that there -is- one. Sorta a roundabout insult.I guess it depends upon the context. A lot of whimpy people snipe through sarcasm. Let's them get a jab in because it's 50/50/50 serious/sarcasm/humor so they can always back out of it in several ways if they get caught...

In any conflicts, it is always best to take the high road. Think before you act. Many times, I have the urge attack right the way but learned not to react right the way. But the best thing to do is take your time to think about it before acting on it. To some people, sarcasm is the norm. Is your boss always sarcastic? Hope you smooth things out.

Steve

hummm...depends... sarcarms is sometimes anger or hate towards someone and the person thinks it's now OK to say cause they call it just a sarcastic joke..
true sarcarms not meant to offend can be very funny..
but like I always say, witts should amuse... not abuse...

People who are annoyed by sarcasm are most often those not smart enough to pick up on the subtleties of the English language. They feel something going over their head but they are not sure what it is... so it makes them feel powerless and vulnerable. As a result they lash out with anger and namecalling to try to regain some of their power.

People who are annoyed by sarcasm are most often those not smart enough to pick up on the subtleties of the English language. They feel something going over their head but they are not sure what it is... so it makes them feel powerless and vulnerable. As a result they lash out with anger and namecalling to try to regain some of their power.
It must be quite a burden to be so intelligent.

It must be quite a burden to be so intelligent.

Knowledge of the English language doesn't require great intelligence, just competence.

It's sad how proponents for language get flamed so often on messageboards, a written medium.

That wasn't even a great example of sarcasm, btw. Snarky bit*hing is not sarcasm, as I stated before.

See: Explody Pup and SaabFan for better real-world examples.

Sarcasm is just stating what is absurdly obvious or ironic with a straight face and no laugh track.

A couple months ago, I asked our engineer for a print for a particular operation on a part. He argued there was no "operation" for that step, and that a print wasn't needed. I had an operator waiting for a print, but he said, "If he could make the first half, then he has enough info to make the second, don't you think?" I didn't even know the guy very well, but that pissed me off, and I asked just as sarcastically, why the operator was asking for a print, then? Both of us knew the answer to each other's question. Having the second print is an ISO mandated formality, and the operator is required to have it.

Today, I had to leave a "mess" to take care of something more pressing. While doing that, my supervisor asked if there was a problem, and why the mess was there? Told him what caused it, and that I'd get to it ASAP. He stalks off muttering, "I'll clean it up, then..." Now, depending on the tone of voice, that could be taken as doing me a favor, or in this case, massive sarcasm. He's always sarcastic, but not usually with me. He picked a bad day to push that button!

Didn't occur to me till afterward, there was that common thread between the two incidents. Somehow I feel justified in my response. No excuse for going over the top, but snide/smart ass remarks are obviously trying to illicit some kind of reaction, right?

I guess I wouldn't label that a sarcastic comment. I would have been pissed by that attitude too and gone off on him or at least confronted him.

I'm the king of more than termites.....I've been told zillions of times I'm the master/king of sarcasm. I guess its mostly because I'm NEVER serious.

Guess I should point out the fact that he is VERY busy. As he said after I apologized, "It's a circus here." There were 101 more important things for him to do, before taking care of that. The fact that he would take it upon himself to handle it, was the sarcastic point.

Nothing wrong with sarcasm when used humorously. I enjoy a good laugh as much as anybody. When used as a jab though, it seems to set me off. Just found that out today, and will be more aware of it in the future, but I'm not quite sure how I'll handle it differently.

It must be quite a burden to be so intelligent.
nice use of sarcasm! :beer:

I'm the king of more than termites.....I've been told zillions of times I'm the master/king of sarcasm. I guess its mostly because I'm NEVER serious.

I think of you as more the Queen of Sarcasm.

Your comments can be such a drag!

nice use of sarcasm! :beer:
what happend to your cool sig?

imageshack hates me :(

Knowledge of the English language doesn't require great intelligence, just competence.

It's sad how proponents for language get flamed so often on messageboards, a written medium.
I wasn't flaming him for being a proponent of language, but for his haughty assumption that "People who are annoyed by sarcasm are most often those not smart enough to pick up on the subtleties of the English language. They feel something going over their head but they are not sure what it is... ." I feel that people are usually annoyed by sarcasm because it's rude, condescending and meant to hurt.


That wasn't even a great example of sarcasm, btw. Snarky bit*hing is not sarcasm, as I stated before.
http://www.m-w.com/dictionary/sarcasm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarcasm
From the definitions at both sites it would appear that "Snarky bit*hing" is a an excellent descrition of sarcasm.


See: Explody Pup and SaabFan for better real-world examples.

Sarcasm is just stating what is absurdly obvious or ironic with a straight face and no laugh track.
That's what I usually call dry humor.

How about you? Any thoughts on why that particular type of insult would be so irksome?


I find haughty condescending people irksome.

I find haughty condescending people irksome.

Oh! Do tell...we like to be amused by the proletariat from time to time. Intellectuals can be so boring.

He stalks off muttering, "I'll clean it up, then..." Now, depending on the tone of voice, that could be taken as doing me a favor, or in this case, massive sarcasm.


Nope, not sarcasm. Passive aggressive? Heck yeah. Sarcastic? Nope.

Oh! Do tell...we like to be amused by the proletariat from time to time. Intellectuals can be so boring.
I don't get it.

People who are annoyed by sarcasm are most often those not smart enough to pick up on the subtleties of the English language. They feel something going over their head but they are not sure what it is... so it makes them feel powerless and vulnerable. As a result they lash out with anger and namecalling to try to regain some of their power

It must be quite a burden to be so intelligent.

Brilliant post. He can't complain about it.

http://www.m-w.com/dictionary/sarcasm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarcasm
From the definitions at both sites it would appear that "Snarky bit*hing" is a an excellent descrition of sarcasm.


No. Sarcasm needs to be clever, and a bit rude...but outright snarkiness or insults are just a product of improper home training, lack of etiquette, and bad manners.

True sarcasm should leave the target a mixture of amused and befuddled, thinking "was that about me?...that was clever!".

Like superdex said above, the guy was passive-aggressive. Definitely lacking wit, that one.

Next time try Webster's or Oxford. Wikipedia is written by amatuers.

Wikipedia is written by amatuers.

Yay! +eleventybillion

Come be a librarian with me. Together, we will stop the madness...

Next time try Webster's or Oxford
Merriam-Webster:

1 : a sharp and often satirical or ironic utterance designed to cut or give pain
2 a : a mode of satirical wit depending for its effect on bitter, caustic, and often ironic language that is usually directed against an individual b : the use or language of sarcasm

I think that demonstrates is that main feature of sarcasm is that it is mean, not necessarily particularily clever.

Yay! +eleventybillion

Come be a librarian with me. Together, we will stop the madness...


Wow, surfing the sea of Literature with Eboo? How can one refuse!

Next time try Webster's or Oxford. Wikipedia is written by amatuers.
The first link was Merriam-Webster.

Merriam-Webster:

1 : a sharp and often satirical or ironic utterance designed to cut or give pain2 a : a mode of satirical wit depending for its effect on bitter, caustic, and often ironic language that is usually directed against an individual b : the use or language of sarcasm
I think that demonstrates is that main feature of sarcasm is that it is mean, not necessarily particularily clever.

I've highlighted the parts indicating references to intelligence or cleverness, and in red the references to a malicious effect. Nowhere does the definition imply a moral stance of either "nice" or "mean".

The results are a ratio of 6:4 with the emphasis on cleverness over wickedness, though I will concede that the intended effect of most sarcasm is to lampoon the intended mark.

However, unlike lesser forms of taunting, this is the elegant method, and should be considered a sort of compliment to the victim that they were not just ignored outright like some sort of gnat in a nostril.

The first link was Merriam-Webster.

Point given, but I get to run off and save the illiterate world with Eboo, so I win.

Me likes sacasm.:)

Point given, but I get to run off and save the illiterate world with Eboo, so I win.
Drat! Win a battle, but lose the war, figuratively speaking.

Wow, surfing the sea of Literature with Eboo? How can one refuse!
OK...you surf the sea of literature with Eboo, and I'll surf the sea of Eboo (and work literaure in there somewhere). ;)

I think of you as more the Queen of Sarcasm.

Your comments can be such a drag!

They only drag your poor little mind because it has such a slow time understanding the sarcasm. :p

They only drag your poor little mind because it has such a slow time understanding the sarcasm. :p

It took you two hours and nine minutes to make a "snappy" comeback?

And you're calling me slow?




:lol:

Go back and make the above a complete coherent sentence, and we'll promise to allow you back on the premises!:D

God save the Queen!

I've highlighted the parts indicating references to intelligence or cleverness, and in red the references to a malicious effect. Nowhere does the definition imply a moral stance of either "nice" or "mean".

The results are a ratio of 6:4 with the emphasis on cleverness over wickedness, though I will concede that the intended effect of most sarcasm is to lampoon the intended mark.

However, unlike lesser forms of taunting, this is the elegant method, and should be considered a sort of compliment to the victim that they were not just ignored outright like some sort of gnat in a nostril.


At the risk of being OCP (obsessive compulsive pedantic) I think your colour-coded analysis misses some key points:

In the M-W definition 1, they say: "a sharp and often satirical or ironic utterance designed to cut or give pain". The word "often" indicates that the satirical and ironic qualities (ie. the witty part) are optional, while the word "designed" indicates that hurtfulness is the core component of sarcasm.

This is echoed in definition 2: "a mode of satirical wit depending for its effect on bitter, caustic, and often ironic language that is usually directed against an individual." Once again the use of the word "often" indicates that sarcasm must be bitter and/or caustic, but doesn't have to be ironic (ie. the intelligent component).

So my point is - a crude, unimaginative taunt can be described as sarcastic. Of course it's much more satisfying to make a witty remark that the object of your derision barely comprehends.

At the risk of being OCP (obsessive compulsive pedantic) I think your colour-coded analysis misses some key points:

In the M-W definition 1, they say: "a sharp and often satirical or ironic utterance designed to cut or give pain". The word "often" indicates that the satirical and ironic qualities (ie. the witty part) are optional, while the word "designed" indicates that hurtfulness is the core component of sarcasm.

This is echoed in definition 2: "a mode of satirical wit depending for its effect on bitter, caustic, and often ironic language that is usually directed against an individual." Once again the use of the word "often" indicates that sarcasm must be bitter and/or caustic, but doesn't have to be ironic (ie. the intelligent component).

So my point is - a crude, unimaginative taunt can be described as sarcastic. Of course it's much more satisfying to make a witty remark that the object of your derision barely comprehends.
When they completely misinterpret your sarcasm and take it as a compliment, that's the best of all, because you realize you've engaged in a battle of wits with an unarmed opponent!:D

Edit: Reworded for clarity!

At the risk of being OCP (obsessive compulsive pedantic) I think your colour-coded analysis misses some key points:

In the M-W definition 1, they say: "a sharp and often satirical or ironic utterance designed to cut or give pain". The word "often" indicates that the satirical and ironic qualities (ie. the witty part) are optional, while the word "designed" indicates that hurtfulness is the core component of sarcasm.

This is echoed in definition 2: "a mode of satirical wit depending for its effect on bitter, caustic, and often ironic language that is usually directed against an individual." Once again the use of the word "often" indicates that sarcasm must be bitter and/or caustic, but doesn't have to be ironic (ie. the intelligent component).

So my point is - a crude, unimaginative taunt can be described as sarcastic. Of course it's much more satisfying to make a witty remark that the object of your derision barely comprehends.

Oh no, cooker....pedandic punditry is my preferred pleasurable pastime per chance!

I enjoyed your counter analysis....sorry, I would stay and chat...but it seems I have to run off with a hot librarian. Toodles!

Me likes sacasm.:)

Yeah, right...you would!

What about sexual innuendo? How are you guys with that? I use it all the time, on here (in case you haven't noticed), with my friends, coworkers/peers (they call me "smudge" because I'll take something innocent and turn it into something nasty - thus leaving a mental thumb smudge), and, yes, even with my family (although I tone it down with Grandma!). I can't help it and it amuses me, but it's not for everyone. Let me clarify - I don't use it AT work or in a professional situation (more off hours at a lunch or happy hour). I'm just curious what you guys in Foo think of it. And please don't use sarcasm - or I'll have to smudge it... ;)

What about sexual innuendo? How are you guys with that? I use it all the time, on here (in case you haven't noticed), with my friends, coworkers/peers (they call me "smudge" because I'll take something innocent and turn it into something nasty - thus leaving a mental thumb smudge), and, yes, even with my family (although I tone it down with Grandma!). I can't help it and it amuses me, but it's not for everyone. Let me clarify - I don't use it AT work or in a professional situation (more off hours at a lunch or happy hour). I'm just curious what you guys in Foo think of it. And please don't use sarcasm - or I'll have to smudge it... ;)I think you should be shot or at the very least stripped and spanked for it.

was that sarcastic?

What about sexual innuendo?

I don't mind a woman who enjoys a little innuendo.


Unless the batteries start to go dead, and it makes that annoying intermittent buzzing noise. I hate that.

What about sexual innuendo? How are you guys with that? I use it all the time, on here (in case you haven't noticed), with my friends, coworkers/peers (they call me "smudge" because I'll take something innocent and turn it into something nasty - thus leaving a mental thumb smudge), and, yes, even with my family (although I tone it down with Grandma!). I can't help it and it amuses me, but it's not for everyone. Let me clarify - I don't use it AT work or in a professional situation (more off hours at a lunch or happy hour). I'm just curious what you guys in Foo think of it. And please don't use sarcasm - or I'll have to smudge it... ;)
When women do it, it's called sexual innuendo. When men do it, it's called sexual harassment. ;)

+1

I think you should be shot or at the very least stripped and spanked for it.
:roflmao:...okay.