alright i’m english by birth and sarcastic by nature, but believe it or not, i actually try hard to transcend both. not that there is inherently a major issue with being english, i just prefer being south african. and sarcasm … well, it really is the lowest form of wit, [oscar wilde] isn’t it? and it’s largely indulged in by those of us with that uniquely irritating combination of self-deprecation and arrogance. if you find it funny, you’re probably one of those people, or sucking up to one of them.
i really wish i’d stop doing it. i wonder if there’s a pill?
along with sarcasm in its purest form, comes criticism veiled in words. growing up around it is like being raised by wolves. you wind up tough, sure, but not overly saturated with affection. i am no stranger to the wolfsnark and have many of its traits.
It comes from the ancient Greek σαρκάζω (sarkazo) meaning ‘to tear flesh’ but the ancient Greek word for the rhetorical concept of taunting was instead χλευασμός (chleyasmόs) Sarcasm appears several times in the Old Testament,; for example it seems to underlie the rhetorical questions of Achish, king of Gath::
Lo, you see the man is mad; why then have you brought him to me? Do I lack madmen, that you have brought this fellow to play the madman in my presence?—I Sam 21:10-15[6][wiki-wiki-wikipedia, of course]
October 13th, 2010 at 18:55
you can borrow my rapier!
October 14th, 2010 at 07:59
sort of fighting fire with fire type of thing? *grin*
October 14th, 2010 at 18:16
what if it’s dry? i don’t think mister oscar made a contingency factor towards this.
October 15th, 2010 at 06:54
then it probabl;y depends on who you’re talking to i guess?
October 14th, 2010 at 21:46
Never stop.
When my son was old enough to go out under his own steam to purchase Christmas presents, the first one he bought for me was a fridge magnet that reads:
“Choose Your Words Carefully – Anything You Say May Be Thrown Back In Your Face With Vicious Sarcasm”.
That gift was given 12 years ago – it still lives, as a treasured oject, on the Fridge.
It was his loving description of growing up in a family of wickedly sarcastic ( and oftentimes vulgar) Irish Americans – Baby, the wolves ain’t got nothing on us.
October 19th, 2010 at 08:02
that’s cool if it works for you – the wolves had some shitty consequences for me, i guess ..
October 14th, 2010 at 23:32
Good luck with that! Sarcasm is so common that I hardly notice it. I don’t think I’d be able to sift it out of my dialogue if I tried.
October 19th, 2010 at 08:02
it’s a pervasive thing alright :)
October 16th, 2010 at 21:42
did it ever occur to you that it is impossible to converse / maintain a friendship with me w/o sarcasm?
no really, you’re right. i hate sarcasm. i guess its a good method for self-protection though.
criticism veiled in words, good one, and that part may be one of the truest things you’ve ever posted.
good luck giving up on the sarcasm, might as well quit the smokes, i guess it’s easier :P
October 19th, 2010 at 08:01
you make some good points there dahlink and i shouldn’t be knocking the whole entire planet of sarcasm and its cousin irony, but … well you know those relatives and stuff who just peck negativity at one all the time …? i was feelin’ sore that day.
October 23rd, 2010 at 19:13
I don’t mind some good sarcasm. Wish I could use it at work :P
Also, you misspelt “LOL” in that Bible quote… ;)