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-   -   Inappropriate, or not? (https://www.bikeforums.net/singlespeed-fixed-gear/277137-inappropriate-not.html)

wetduck 03-14-07 07:51 PM


Originally Posted by Placid Casual
How do you figure?

Irony implies a group in the know, and a group not in the know. Sarcasm does not rely on these two separate audiences. Anyone reading your post would be able to tell that you did not mean at all what you said, and were merely mocking my post about irony. No second group that is clueless and therefore no irony.

thenewblk 03-15-07 03:17 AM

she probably would have been more amicable if she liked your face.

wroomwroomoops 03-15-07 04:11 AM


Originally Posted by thenewblk
she probably would have been more amicable if she liked your face.

Actually, that's very true. Women will, very often, pretend the issue is something else than just plain-old attractiveness (or lack thereof). But don't expect them to admit it.

Placid Casual 03-15-07 05:27 AM


Originally Posted by wetduck
Irony implies a group in the know, and a group not in the know.

That's one definition of irony. There are, of course, others. The generally accepted definition (of the sort of irony we are presumably talking about) simply requires that meaning be expressed by the use of different, usually opposite, language.


Sarcasm does not rely on these two separate audiences. Anyone reading your post would be able to tell that you did not mean at all what you said, and were merely mocking my post about irony. No second group that is clueless and therefore no irony.
You are certainly correct in pegging my response to your post as sarcastic. In this, your English degree has not let you down. You go astray only when you assume that your preferred definition of irony is the universal or authoritative one.

h_curtis 03-15-07 06:04 AM


Originally Posted by wetduck
So I was in my friends car a few nights ago in Portland, when I saw a person riding a single speed down the road. It was probably around 11 at night. As we passed, I rolled down the window and asked her where her dérailleur was. I thought I was being humorous. The woman who was riding didn't seem to think so, and only scowled and kept riding.

If someone said it to me, I would probably at least smile back. Granted, I don't like getting taunted or yelled at while I ride my bike, but I thought i was being funny enough and showing enough knowledge of bicycles for her to realize I wasn't being mean. The other thought that crossed my mind was she thought I was being an ******* male trying to show off, which I wasn't.

I wouldn't make a deal out of this. I would have done the same thing as the girl because I don't care for people saying anything while next to me in some car. If you were on a bike and said that, I suspect the reaction would have been totally different. Best not to mess with people on bikes while you are in a car. JMHO.

mattface 03-15-07 09:24 AM

Dictionary
irony 1 |ˈīrənē; ˈiərnē| noun ( pl. -nies) the expression of one's meaning by using language that normally signifies the opposite, typically for humorous or emphatic effect : “Don't go overboard with the gratitude,” he rejoined with heavy irony. See note at wit . • a state of affairs or an event that seems deliberately contrary to what one expects and is often amusing as a result : [with clause ] the irony is that I thought he could help me. • (also dramatic or tragic irony) a literary technique, originally used in Greek tragedy, by which the full significance of a character's words or actions are clear to the audience or reader although unknown to the character. ORIGIN early 16th cent.(also denoting Socratic irony): via Latin from Greek eirōneia ‘simulated ignorance,’ from eirōn ‘dissembler.’ irony 2 |ˈīərnē| adjective of or like iron : an irony gray color.

Thesaurus
irony noun 1 that note of irony in her voice sarcasm, causticity, cynicism, mockery, satire, sardonicism. See note at wit . antonym sincerity. 2 the irony of the situation paradox, incongruity, incongruousness. antonym logic.

mattface 03-15-07 09:30 AM

• a state of affairs or an event that seems deliberately contrary to what one expects and is often amusing as a result

By that definition you COULD say her response to your ironic question was also ironic.

Also note the thesauraus includes mockery causticity and sarcasm as synonyms for irony while not always the case ironic statements are often made in a sarcastic or mocking manner, and that's how I think most single speeders would interpret "where's your derailer" no matter what the context.

labrat_62 03-15-07 10:02 AM

I second all the its odd to be yelled at, I had a guy ask me what kind of car I was driving while I was riding through the city, he laughed then suggested a chevie. He seemed nice enough but I am still confused if he was just being a prick or not. The point, while on the bike, i assume everything being said is being said by an ass.

It did make me feel better to pass him while he got stuck in a traffic jam and say well whatever I am riding is doing better then his BMW


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