We explain what sarcastically means, what sarcasm is and examples in sentences. Also, differences with irony.
What does sarcastically mean?
What is said sarcastically is, of course, something said with sarcasm, that is, with the intention of making a cruel, biting or ironic mockery. A sarcastic person, therefore, is one who often resorts to sarcasm, either with pejorative intentions or as part of their expressive habits (such as black humor).
Sarcasm, commonly, consists of expressing displeasure through a phrase that should not be understood in a correct way. literal, but as a way of affirming the opposite of what is said. In this sense, sarcasm is a form of criticism, but expressed in an indirect way, sometimes subtle and even, depending on the case, hostile or aggressive. It is, therefore, a way of covertly making fun of the other.
The term sarcasm comes from the Greek sarkasmos, term with which an excessive, unrestrained laugh was named, and which in turn was the result of a metaphorical turn of the verb sarkazein, translatable as "gnaw" or "ruminate", since when laughing in this way, the mouth opened as ruminant animals or rodents do.
Some examples of phrases said sarcastically can be the following:
- “What a clever deduction!” (when the other has said something stupid)
- "Really? Do not tell me!" (when the other has said something obvious or obvious)
- "We would not have gotten here without you" (when the other is responsible for some bad choice made)
In general, sarcasm is seen as a conduct shocking, unpleasant, but at the same time as a form of biting humor closely associated with intelligence or sharpness. It is said that the writer Oscar Wilde would have defined it as "the lowest form of humor, but the highest expression of wit".
Difference between sarcasm and irony
sarcasm and irony They are close and similar terms, but they are not exactly synonyms. However, what separates them is precisely a nuance, related to the intentions of the speaker.
On the one hand, irony is an expressive turn of what is said, through which the opposite of what is affirmed is implied. This is a very common resource in the language spoken and in certain forms of humor, since it allows to imply nuances contrary to what is affirmed.
For example, the representative of a major employment agency in the US state of Virginia stated in 2005 that it would lay off its 400 employees due to lack of work, since unemployment in the region was much lower than expected. The company would then take care of them, and naturally, they would hire them in their old job, since the demand would have grown again.
In this case, the joke is that a situation is described paradoxical, which shows a disconnection between the expectations of the audience and the logic applied in this hypothetical situation. This discrepancy is ironic, since something contrary to the logic of the actions is stated.
Sarcasm, on the other hand, is a form of ridicule and imprecation, which can be offensive to those who receive it. That is, it is about the use of irony to cruelly mock another. For example, a sarcastic comment would be falsely praising the intelligence of a classmate, to make the rest understand that deep down they are considered stupid.